Went out walleye fishing on Green Bay at Larsons Reef Saturday morning. Started at the north buoy and drifted down the reef jigging some purple and crappie colored walleye jigs. Caught a number of gobies, sheephead and then looked to the rear of my boat to see my 80 year old father struggling with what he thought was a snag. I got the pole to see and finally felt a tug and realized it was a fish and a heavy one at that. The thing didn't start fighting until it got closer to the surface where we thought for sure it was a muskie. It then took off and the fight was on. Dad had trouble handling the net so his buddy and neighbor took over netting duties and we finally landed the largest northern pike and fish I have ever caught (including salmon). Took us about 30 minutes to finally get it into the boat. Took some pictures of it and then released it to get bigger and hopefully catch it another day. The catch of a lifetime! A true team effort.
Sent the pic to the DNR and they stated that they have not heard of another pike in the 50" range being caught in Green Bay. Here is the picture. By the way, I am 6 feet tall and the fish easily reached from my chin down below my knees which would conservatively be 55". We estimated the weight at 30-35lbs.
Northern Pike.jpg