Anyone going for pike?

30lb fluorocarbon

Caught a few on Balsam today. 24” and 33”. The larger one was all red. Anyone know what causes this? It was also blind in the right eye.

Large one

24”

That is similar to pictures posted before, and fish I have seen. It's difficult to say for sure from looking at the picture. The blind eye could have been anything (fishing lure or old battle scar) and not related to the red skin at all. Last year and once since I posted about Red soar disease and VHS also Esocid Lymphosarcoma. Some to most fish get a parasite at a point in their existence. The red skin is from the pike scratching itself on a rock or log. Most parasites run their course in fish, and the fish remain healthy and eatable. You could check with the MNR in Peterborough. I just cut a parasite out and make sure the fish is cooked well before eating it. I have only destroyed and disposed of a couple fish in my life that were too infected to eat or return to the water. Also nice pike you caught there. Do you want to buy another fishing rod. I have a used one I don't need anymore. I don't think you have quite enough there. You could use one more. LOL.

Nice pikes , Woodfarmer!

I also caught a few reddish ones this year so I think CM is right about the cause of it .

Yes too bad the fish live in a world with multiple kinds of parasites ect. Most of these fish will be fine after the spring is over. Here is a close up of the red skin. Perfectly ok to eat a fish like this or release it. If anyone would like an official opinion to be sure. Call the MNR. It is up to the angler to make good choices on their own. Not because of something I said.