Vermont Ice Fisherman Catches Huge Pike

Catch of a lifetime by Vermont ice fisherman. Photo/Vermont Fish & Wildlife.

A Vermont ice fisherman pulled up the catch of a lifetime in late February.

According to Vermont Fish and Wildlife officials, ice fisherman Jacob Kinney caught a 43-inch, 18.7-pound pike while ice fishing on Lake Champlain.

After he took a few photos, he released the big female pike to swim and spawn again.

As massive as Kinney’s pike was, it still wasn’t in the running for the Vermont state record for largest pike. That is held by a pike that was 30 pounds, 8 ounces and was caught in Glen Lake way back in 1977.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife officials said March is a prime fishing period for big northern pike, when they move towards flooded marshes and vegetated backwater areas to spawn.

Pike generally start spawning as soon as the ice goes out in late March and early April. Officials said pike will even spawn under the ice in the right conditions. Part of what cues pike to spawn is increasing daylight and the intensity and angle of the sun, not just water temperature.

It’s not too late to attempt to pull your own massive bike up through the ice in Vermont. Check out this list of some of the state’s best spots for catching pike when ice fishing.

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