Wellesley Island Northern Pike

[crl1970]

Does anyone have any tips on Northern Pike fishing this coming weekend.  My son and I are headed up to the St Lawrence River and will be launching on Wellesley Island.  Thanks for any info.

[slabspanker]

I always cast large spoons and retrieve real slowwww. The fish are still sluggish from winter, then spawning. They'll eat, just may not play chase long. ill be on the river as well! tight lines!

[crl1970]

Thanks for the tip Slabs.  Tightlines

[slabspanker]

Did i mention they should be shallow? less than 20'?  cruising the flats looking for baitfish....

[oatkasut]

A #3 to #5 silver mepps, a johnson spoon, a daredevil all work well. Even a minnow under a bobber in the warmer water works great, especially if the minnows are active in the warmer, shallower water. You can troll or cast.  Good luck!

[crl1970]

I picked up some spoons today and wil get some minnows Saturday morning.  Hopefully the sun warms up the water a bit to make the fish a little more active.  Thinking of hitting the eel bay area or fishers landing.  Also may troll some drop offs with thunder sticks.

[joshjj2010]

I went ice fishing up there outta eel bay and had 7 flags within an hour i used small pike minnows. They may work now

[riverdogg]

Just find shallow weeds as mentioned previously, that shouldn't be a problem in Eel Bay.  Slow rolling spinnerbaits and / or stickbaits like Rapalas will get you some fish.

[grady95]

The cut between Picton and Grindstone usually has some fish along the weed edges this time of year.  Other guys here have already mentioned the pattern.  It's weeds and drops.  They won't chase now, they'll ambush.
My favorites right now are tiger colored Reef Runner Ripsticks, countdown Rapala in perch color and believe it or not, just good old Mr Twister grub bodies on leadheads.  I carry grape, yellow, white and chartreuse colors.  Usually start with chartreuse.  If you're like me, you'll tip that with a small piece of worm and jig it along weed edges.
Wish I was up there with you guys.  This is a very good time to fish The River.  Might want to take a little time and get yourself a nice mess of perch for a shore lunch too.  They should be easy.  I think even my brother could catch those! 
Stay Sharp, Be Safe
Grady

[crl1970]

Went out on Saturday morning at 6am and froze.  Wind was howling.  All i caught were a few small Pike     I had my 8 yr old son with me and unfortunately we under dressed for the cold. Hopefully better days are coming..

[Bluegillonafly]

Not to change the subject but speaking of Wellesley....my brother & I and our 2 wives are going to be camping/fishing for 4 days at Canoe Point State Park in mid-June immediately before and including the opening day of bass.  We are looking to catch anything and probably will be doing alot of panfishing since we love the action and of course, they're great eating.  I'm hoping it will be prime time for the spawning gills and sunfish.  I've got a Fishing Hot Spots map of the Grindstone/Wellesley area but that focuses mainly on gamefish hotspots.  Any bay or shoal areas known for panfish?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

[wellsley]

The bays  give up some nice panfish, Delaney bay just west of canoe pt. is good for perch and bullheads. Eel bay to your east has just about everything. Bullheads early, perch, gils, pike,carp,lg mouths along the shoreline, small mouths near the islands and the shoal between canoe pt. and grandview park. The best bluegil fishing I have had on the St. Lawrence has been in the lake of the isles.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[jimp]

I grew up on the river.  Silver and black are the best colors.  Run a silver spinner over a weed bed or bump a black jig slow on the bottom and you'll do fine.  The live minnow under a bobber is also a good bet.   Good luck.

[crl1970]

Thanks so much everyone