In January and February, when New York's duck
blinds and tree stands are covered with snow, outdoorsmen
across the North Country flock to ice shacks along the St.
Lawrence River in search of northern pike.
The only natural outlet for the Great Lakes, the St.
Lawrence River extends from the outlet of Lake Ontario
approximately 112 miles, separating New York (and the United
States) from Canada.The river winds
through the New York communities of Alexandria Bay,
Morristown, Ogdensburg, Waddington and Massena before
flowing into the provinces of Ontario and Quebec in Canada
and eventually the Atlantic Ocean.
Spawning habitat for northern pike, primarily shallow
wetlands, have been depleted because of changing water
levels following the construction of various dams along the
river.
Zebra mussels have helped change the water
quality of the river, according to Klindt, resulting in
clearer water, while removing vital nutrients, as well as
the smaller organisms that fish consume.
FINDING PIKE
Weed beds and structure, such as sunken
islands or steep drop offs, should be the first place an
angler sets up while ice-fishing for pike on the St.
Lawrence River. Structures that hold baitfish and pike will
be nearby.
If you are new to an area along the river, the best advice
is to set up near other anglers. Or talk to bait shop owners
about hot fishing spots. They hear all the latest news from
anglers buying minnows and suckers.
Another key to finding pike is to purchase
depth charts of the river. Charts can be found in most bait
shops. These detailed charts reveal the location of deep
drop offs or other structure in the area.
Deep water off drop offs or near weed beds can be productive
for pike seeking warmer waters. During the late ice-fishing
season, deeper is usually better, according to most
ice-fishermen.
The following is a sampling of popular ice-fishing areas for
northern pike on the St. Lawrence River in New York,
starting with Alexandria Bay in Jefferson County and ending
at Coles Creek in St. Lawrence County.
ALEXANDRIA BAY
Alexandria Bay is known for its excellent
northern pike fishing during the winter months.
Ice-fishermen can expect good catches of pike in both the
upper and lower bays, which feature a multitude of weed beds
and drop offs in the 15- to 20-foot range that give pike
good cover and deep, warm water.
Anglers won't have to go far from shore. Most drop offs are
only 15 to 20 feet from the river's banks. Most anglers fish
off the public boat launches in the village and park on
village roads.
Alexandria Bay is on state Route 12 off Interstate Route 81
north.
WELLESLEY ISLAND
Across the Thousand Islands bridge to
Wellesley Island from Alexandria Bay, anglers will find a
number of popular places for northern pike this month.
Eel Bay and Lake of the Isles are two public areas where
anglers can go from the boat launch straight to decent
fishing conditions. These waters are shallow with a sandy
bottom and hold good quantities of perch and sunfish, which
lure pike to the areas.
Eel Bay is off the bridge near the state boat launch. Lake
of the Isles is near the Minna-Anthony Nature Center on the
island.
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