Northern Pike Hardly The Forgotten Trophy

Tiger muskies are making the headlines in North Idaho, but northern pike are still giving trophy anglers plenty to brag about.

The illegally introduced pike were the rage among anglers in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, when Lake Coeur d’Alene produced a state record nearly every year.

However, the 38-pound, 9-ounce record caught in 1992 by Dennis Hicks of Post Falls still stands.

“The pike grew rapidly when they were introduced to unexploited habitat, a fully stocked grocery store, so to speak,” said Jim Fredericks, Idaho Fish and Game Department biologist.

“As the population grew and anglers keyed in on them, the growth rates slowed. A similar thing is going on right now at Hayden Lake. The fish are growing fast.”

Rumors of very large pike looming in Lake Coeur d’Alene continue to circulate, he said.

“Every year people say Fish and Game electro-shocked the mythical 50-, 60- or 70-pound pike, but that’s never happened,” Fredericks said. “These fish don’t respond well to electro-shocking, so we don’t even use that methodology for them. I know there’s some nice fish there, but the biggest we’ve ever shocked to my knowledge is about 10 pounds.”