Lake O Spring pike fishing

Hi All,

Hope everyone is well and healthy, had a great ice fishing season and getting ready for the open water season.

I was able to wet my jerkbaits for some early Spring pike fishing in Lake O about a week ago before the cold spell and also checked my boat to ensure it's ready for the season.

Fished once from shore and once from a boat in a marina

Got three nice pikes - around 6, 7 and 12-13 lb each (all released).

The water was stained after the rainfall and pike was fussy with short biting window but nevertheless it was fun playing, landing and releasing the big fish on a spinning gear and getting back into the open water techniques.

Tight lines!

First one of the season (fishing from shore)...

Another one, around 7 lb.
This one wass caught in the marina from a boat in around 7 FOW in old weeds on a 3 feet diving jerkbait

big fat mama (estimated at 12-14 lb), quickly pictured and released ...

I was wondering when you would post those pictures after our text chat. Very nice pike you pulled out of the big lake. I forgot to ask you the other day. Was there any other boats out when you were out on the lake.

Thanks, CM. It was nice text chatting with you as well and thanks again for checking on me.

I did not see any other boats out but I was out on a weekday in the pm.

First I wanted to ride to the islands but the wind was pretty strong that day blowing from SW direction so I decided to just try the boat not too far from shore and ended up fishing one of the local marinas

I went fishing today, just a very short drive to stretch my shoulders out. Did not expect anything to bite (panfish), just wanted some fresh air. Three hours of throwing different stuff, and not one bite. Went to a place where I knew there would be some open water. And right across the road 50 feet, the other lake still had ice on it. Just the way the wind blows and water flow that one lake melts faster than the other. Crappie are still out in deep water 15 to 20 feet. My friends are watching the Kawarthas ice. When the call comes I will let you guys know when the crappie are biting. Was talking with reelingmachine and a couple other friends, all looking forward to spring crappie. Hope I don't miss the ice out school rushing in, for the early feed. Depends if work schedule coincides with crappie schedule. Last two years the crappie did not cooperate as good as usual. Good luck and stay safe.

The last few days I was thinking it would be weird if JB did not try lake O before pike closed. Glad to know you began the season as usual and with some gators landed.

Nice chunky Pike.....looks like you had a fun day.

Arnie

Looking forward to the season as well.
Hopefully the ice melts soon and crappies will come in numbers this year.
Stay safe and looking forward to your reports!

Thanks, RM.
It was nice being out on the open water again casting a lure.
Stay safe and looking forward to your fishing reports.

Thanks, Arnie.

Very nicely done. Have always wanted to drop a line along the shores of TO but always felt so strange to be fishing in the city....even in park land areas. And since I don't usually just fish for fun (and I am not keen on eating anything from Lake O), that urge has been further pushed down. But nice to see how big those pike can get.

Way to go JB . Nice early season pike to start off the open water. Hope the catching continues. I saw a group of people on simcoe getting into some crappie so they are starting to head into some of the channels. The trailer opens just before walleye season opens on Balsam so i will be out for pike and walleye and the crappie may still be around. Stay safe

I said I would let everyone know when the crappie are biting. The crappie are biting right now two of my friends are catching them in the Kawarthas today and one friend on Simcoe and I will be trying one of my spots in an hour. Try shallow water near where water is running into what ever lake is your crappie lake. Be aware of the restricted areas in the spring, I am sure the MNR are out there checking fish sanctuaries etc. etc. Good luck and stay safe, bye for now.

Good luck and thanks for the update.