Yep had enough of being cold this winter so I am hanging by the wood stove this afternoon.   I like  350 to 400 up there and thats what it is right now, but If I was going to drive up north I would keep on trucking up to Chaumont bay or Lake of the isles  for some perch or slime logs through the ice

NOPE- stayin in by the fire- when the Gnasty Gnats come out so will I.

Ahhhhh Andy- we practice  a similar  Gnat buster philosophy. Cept I use Capt. Black.

Dime,
 
The pike were runnig with the steel down here two weeks ago.  But the season closed on Friday, until the first Saturday in May, and it is not legal in NY to target fish in their closed season.  You could probably argue that a crappie jig was intended for crappie, but an 8" streamer or a big rapala could get you a ticket.  They spawn in very shallow water like flooded flats, and they are very vulnerable then.  They will still be in similar spots when the season opens.
And with the way the winter is holding on, you should have no shortage of chromers and dropbacks until May, if you can find time to go after them!
 
L13

I have no such reg.  problems. Vermont even has a pike SHOOTING season.
The New York side of Champlain had one into the 70's. It's still open all year for pike  angling.   I also fish the Hudson where it's C and R , open all year.  Andy, try to get them as soon as possible after the spawn, the large ones will head for deep water immediately after spawning and sulk for awhile. Smaller fish will be around, but I'm sure you have intentions of  gettin a gator.The last fish I got in open water last  year ( Dec.) out of my yak were pike.  Often the first ones in are also.  I usually fish big Deceivers- Chartreuse over yellow over white with a red gill and some silver and red tinsel. 8" of Cortland Tyger wire- double uni knot to the leader- figure 8 to the fly.   Back in the dark ages before I became a fly snob, i used big spinnerbaits,  slow rolled. White with chartreuse willows was my favorite. Fire tiger original rapalas, too.  I'm planning on hitting a good size river estuary (Otter Creek) where it flows into the  southern end of Champlain  next month, besides the Hudson 20 minutes from home.   Hope you're successful. 
On another note- Jack, I hope you get lots of time to chase steel in Ohio.
 HT- may your Sabikis be full.......   A little later than last year,  maybe.  I talked to some dude in Schodack that scores major big carp on bait  and wants me to show him how to sightfish with flies for  them.  He says he fishes  a big flat where they go unmolested and are there in dense numbers. May be fun.  He seems legit.
I hope I can scare up a few steel the end of the month. No vacation this spring for the first time in 15 years. The 4 days on the river is it.
Probably get skunked....
 
 
 
Charlie
 
 
 
 

I used to target pike alot in my 20's.    Here is what I know.    Spawning usually starts at 40 degrees water temp.   They like to spawn on weeds, gravel and sand in that order.    They do not make nests, they will drop eggs 5 to 10 times at different places.   Spawning only last  10 days to 2 weeks.   Females usually bugg out faster than the males after they spawn.   There are excellent pike waters around the area including the estuary (never fished there)  ,  Lakeview marsh and Sandy pond.  Lakeview has a 10 hp max and you can access the side streams and get way back in with a canoe or Jon boat I have not went deep in there  in 25 years.  

Schizammm- Hope that Steelie spawn aint one of those real quick  affairs when the weather warms a lot  overnight and stays that way. Thats a real danger in a late cold pattern. Have seen them run into feeders to spawn  and be done quite quickly. In and then gonzo. Seems that they RUN out to the lake those years too.
 Coupla years back it went on for a few weeks. Made several great trips that season and the next year only one. Quickie spawn -- hot weather came in fast.
  Much prefer a gradual thing that can last well into May if ya know where to go.
 Water temp - water temp.
 

-1 at 5 am this morning...they say 39 and rain today... I guess we'll have to wait and since they were 17 degrees off with the over night low

Well the pre storm bite was on for my buddy on LG today.
Hoping they don't get the expected 8-12" tonight. If so , oh gonna deal with it and jig some last ice lakers Friday .

Lucky13

It was supposed to hit 40 here this PM and it is snowing to beat the band now,  I have a garden full of frozen yellow crocus!

L13

Yup... was supposed to be 39 here... i dont think it got above freezing. Clint, i have a funny feeling its gonna add up tonight through wednesday...im guessing 12 inches all said and done by thursday...
This is gonna be an interesting spring. Definitely one to leave us guessing fishing wise...especially the newer guys to the fishery...Which is a good thing. 335 and warm weather all season long as an average like weve had the past two years definitely spoiled a lot pof people...

Snowing pretty good here in Ct and more for Friday. Add this to Andys and Clints reports and might be holding  off that drop trip.

Yeah charlie, this has been a more medium flow year with many days being above average. Early april can be tough. Ive done well right around this time during years that had no hot and cold winters and before any true run off came the water would warm up and the fish would turn on...usually only a few days though and then shut right down from cold run off. Its hard to say how it will end up this year. It could end up being a complete blow out come mid april if april showers come in full force. I hope the best for your four day trip. My first steelhead trip ever was in early april and it was cold and rainy. No fish hooked and wet cold hands... ive been hooked ever since :)

been snowing about 7hrs now. while it seems to be steady nothing is really accumulating on the ground.. will see how things look when i get home at 3am and then wake up around 10.. ugh.. is it Friday yet ? I hear lakers calling my name..
 
 

4 to 6 here with larger drifts

No snow YET here in Ohio but it's in the forecast for later.Meanwhile the RAW wind is blowing and the creeks are rising
I'll be baking bread,tying,and walking the dogs today.