Balsam spring fishing, Crappie...Pike

[crappeeeman]

Some of you were asking about Balsam in the last two weeks. Water level and temperature is good now for pike, crappie and other pan fish. Tomorrow should be a great day to catch some pike and crappie. Sun will be out and wind about 15km from nw and as the day goes on the wind slows down. Best spots to catch fish will be sitting where your boat is in five feet of water. Cast out to where it comes up shallow fast. The pike and crappie should be sitting in two to three feet of water catching a sun tan around the old weeds. The pike will be hunting the thousands of 4 inch perch I see swimming around in the spring. The crappie will be after the small minnows in the very shallow water. Fish will not hit as hard as they do in late May but you will definitely feel it. For pike try some lures that dive down quick then a short pause let them float up a bit and then send them down again over and over. For crappie try Berkley Power Bait 2 inch smelts. My friends have had much success with those in the last week or so. I was using Lucky Strike Mr. Crappie black and silver 2 inch Jokers. Get out early if you can, but the whole day looks good. Stay safe and good luck.

[longfish]

Great report CM.,,,,Crappie have always been mysterious to me but one day I will spend the time to go and figure them out. Meanwhile I will just suck up information like yours in this post....Thank you.

Arnie

[Fishquest]

Thanks for the report and information

[Goshawk]

Thanks for the info J. I hope that I can get out there tomorrow.

[Woodfarmer]

Awesome CM

[pjfishing]

Thanks for the report and tips crappeeeman.

I am definitely going to be there tomorrow, and open my pike season. Last spring was very good and interesting. Caught lot of pike, biggest was 35". I know there are some 40+ in there, so I am hoping to come close to it.

If anyone is interested, recently I put together a little video with my spring pike fishing footage from last year. It is from Balsam, and you can see what and how it worked for me:

[YOUTUBE]https://youtu.be/VSLsoTAE8V8[/YOUTUBE]

I am sure there are many other efficient and fun ways to get them.

Have fun on the water!

Peja

This post has been edited by pjfishing on Apr 21, 2022 - 09:13 pm

[flexkk]

Great post CM. Lots of good info. Unfortunately I won’t be out on Balsam until walleye opener as I am playing catch up on all my neglected chores for last seasons fishing and ice fishing. Have to finish up some painting and flooring so I can get the boat out for may. Good luck out there be safe and leave me a few fish

[crappeeeman]

I hope you all have good luck today. Going to sleep now just got home from work. Stay safe. Working again tonight...

[Jerkbaiter]

Great tips, CM, thanks for sharing.

I agree, Balsam is very productive multi-species lake but it needs some exploring to figure out the fishing patterns.

if everything goes well i am planning to fish it on Sunday for pike.

[crappeeeman]

Good luck on Sunday JB. Just woke up and I have a question. Why is it when I post something and look back the time is off by an hour.

[pjfishing]

So, did anyone go to Balsam today?

I did and it was good opener for me. Weather was nice and fish was active.

Caught 5 pike and lost 2 at the boat.

All pike were decent size.The biggeest (one on the photo) was 32" and smallest 28".

In the morning I was finding them a bit deeper (6-8ft), but as day progressed and water warmed up, they were moving shallower, and by the end of day I was getting them in those 3-5ft CM mentioned.

I got most of my fish on jerkbaits (huskyjerk size 14), on pull and pause. Fish was fairly agressive and in many cases hiting the lure close to the boat.

Not many boats out.

I don't think I am going to make it again to Balsam this weekend, but I would love to.

Peja

[crappeeeman]

That is a very nice day on the water. Perfect weather and chunky fish. Enjoyed your video as well. Sunday will be a great day for pike but the best fishing will be on the east side where the trees cause the wind brake. Sit a boat in 10 feet of water and cast towards shore to where it comes shallow to 4 or 5 feet. Pike will be most aggressive from 2pm until sundown. Sunday will also be a perfect day to troll the wind line on the east side. It should look like a hwy of fish under you on the fish finder.Watch out for rocks on the east side. Don't bother with Saturday unless you like fishing in the rain like I do. Good luck all. Stay safe.

[ricoboxing]

Nice fish! What was the water temp?
I caught my first pike of the season, it was a decent size but basically felt like I was pulling in a stick (no fight at all).

[bassmasterrr]

Very chunky pike would make some nice fillets ! Well done.

[pjfishing]

Thanks,

surface water temp was 46 in the morning and 49 by the end of the day.

I did bring home that one and other 3 fish and filet them. There will be plenty for us and our friends.
As CM mentioned, they were full will small 3-4" perch. In biggest fish I count them and there were 15(!) of them, all fairly fresh. Something definitely to consider when choosing lure size and colour.

Also, in shallows I noticed couple of muskies. I think they are preparing for spawning - please keep that in mind.

All the best on the water,
Peja