Beaver Island Pike
Pike (May through June) – Like with the smallmouth, Beaver Island offers a unique pike experience because of its clear waters. There are few places where you can sight cast to trophy pike. The biggest to date was in 2019, it was 46” and 26 pounds. We’ve also boated may 40” plus pike over the years.
The pike population is limited, so we think of them as a bonus, not something you’d focus your trip around. However, it would be reasonable for someone to plan a trip around boating a trophy pike on a fly.
Non-Fly Fishing – The island’s pike can be caught on light spin gear with a variety of lures. We avoid lures with multiple treble hooks because there both not necessary to catch fish and too hard on the fish and us.
Reminder: All fishing gear is provided on all of our trips at no additional charge. This includes leaders, flies, and lures. Only bring gear if it will add something to your trip.
Gearing Up: A floating line on a rod from 8-10 weight will be perfect, rod weight can depend on fly choice and wind.
What to wear: Always remember that Beaver Island will be cooler by 10-15 degrees then the forecast on the mainland. It is a small group of islands surrounded by cold water and that cold water keeps air temps on the island much cooler. Also plan on wind, calm wind on the Beavers is the exception and not the rule.
There is great gear available, if you want to be warm, dry and comfortable all day don’t settle for less. A pair of cotton jeans and a sweatshirt are perfect for watching a baseball game but worthless on a fishing trip. Cotton will fully saturate with water, dries slowly and retains no warmth when wet.
Every fishing trip should include rain gear, if you have waders then you only need a jacket. I would also put polarized sunglasses, baseball or other brimmed hat, 2 pairs of sun gloves and Buff on the must bring list. Always plan for the worst weather possible on a trip. It is always better to have a pile of unused clothes in the boat on a beautiful day versus not having enough to put on when things turn cold.
These guidelines are for the worst possible weather, if the forecast is calling for hot, then you’ll want to adjust.
For most trips to Beaver Island:
Bottom - synthetic long underwear and breathable chest waders (boot foot waders are much warmer then stocking foot but stocking foot are more comfortable) or bibs and waterproof boots or boat shoes. Synthetic or wool blend socks but leave some air space and wiggle room.
When the weather turns to full summer, often about the 4th of July, we ditch the waders and wet wade. There are a lot of slippery rocks around the island. Over the years we’ve found that the wading boots we use with our waders are the best choice for wet wading. We simply take up the extra space in the oversized boots with 2 pairs of thick socks. We’ve found that flats boots didn’t have enough sturdiness for walking on the large rocks.
Some of the marshy areas we fish have leaches. The leaches can only bite you if they can get to your skin. You can avoid getting bit by tucking your pants into your socks or putting rubber bands around your ankles, the heavy rubber bands they use on produce work great.
Do not bring studded boot, they’re too noisy on the rocks and spook the fish.
Never bring shorts or open shoes. Sometimes we have stable flies that will bit the heck out of your feet and legs, they are 100% eliminated by long pants, shoes and socks. Bug spray has no effect on them.
Top – synthetic long underwear, synthetic flats hoody, synthetic fleece jacket, puffy jacket and breathable rain jacket. You’ll definitely want a baseball or other brimmed sun hat and buff.
Also bring along sun lotion and bug spray. Even if the forecast is for hot and dry, bring rain gear, the boat ride is often splashy.
Michigan Fishing License: You’ll need a valid Michigan fishing license, here is the link to purchase a license on-line, https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82448---,00.html
The pike population is limited, so we think of them as a bonus, not something you’d focus your trip around. However, it would be reasonable for someone to plan a trip around boating a trophy pike on a fly.
Non-Fly Fishing – The island’s pike can be caught on light spin gear with a variety of lures. We avoid lures with multiple treble hooks because there both not necessary to catch fish and too hard on the fish and us.
Reminder: All fishing gear is provided on all of our trips at no additional charge. This includes leaders, flies, and lures. Only bring gear if it will add something to your trip.
Gearing Up: A floating line on a rod from 8-10 weight will be perfect, rod weight can depend on fly choice and wind.
What to wear: Always remember that Beaver Island will be cooler by 10-15 degrees then the forecast on the mainland. It is a small group of islands surrounded by cold water and that cold water keeps air temps on the island much cooler. Also plan on wind, calm wind on the Beavers is the exception and not the rule.
There is great gear available, if you want to be warm, dry and comfortable all day don’t settle for less. A pair of cotton jeans and a sweatshirt are perfect for watching a baseball game but worthless on a fishing trip. Cotton will fully saturate with water, dries slowly and retains no warmth when wet.
Every fishing trip should include rain gear, if you have waders then you only need a jacket. I would also put polarized sunglasses, baseball or other brimmed hat, 2 pairs of sun gloves and Buff on the must bring list. Always plan for the worst weather possible on a trip. It is always better to have a pile of unused clothes in the boat on a beautiful day versus not having enough to put on when things turn cold.
These guidelines are for the worst possible weather, if the forecast is calling for hot, then you’ll want to adjust.
For most trips to Beaver Island:
Bottom - synthetic long underwear and breathable chest waders (boot foot waders are much warmer then stocking foot but stocking foot are more comfortable) or bibs and waterproof boots or boat shoes. Synthetic or wool blend socks but leave some air space and wiggle room.
When the weather turns to full summer, often about the 4th of July, we ditch the waders and wet wade. There are a lot of slippery rocks around the island. Over the years we’ve found that the wading boots we use with our waders are the best choice for wet wading. We simply take up the extra space in the oversized boots with 2 pairs of thick socks. We’ve found that flats boots didn’t have enough sturdiness for walking on the large rocks.
Some of the marshy areas we fish have leaches. The leaches can only bite you if they can get to your skin. You can avoid getting bit by tucking your pants into your socks or putting rubber bands around your ankles, the heavy rubber bands they use on produce work great.
Do not bring studded boot, they’re too noisy on the rocks and spook the fish.
Never bring shorts or open shoes. Sometimes we have stable flies that will bit the heck out of your feet and legs, they are 100% eliminated by long pants, shoes and socks. Bug spray has no effect on them.
Top – synthetic long underwear, synthetic flats hoody, synthetic fleece jacket, puffy jacket and breathable rain jacket. You’ll definitely want a baseball or other brimmed sun hat and buff.
Also bring along sun lotion and bug spray. Even if the forecast is for hot and dry, bring rain gear, the boat ride is often splashy.
Michigan Fishing License: You’ll need a valid Michigan fishing license, here is the link to purchase a license on-line, https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79146_82448---,00.html