The pike are ambush-feeders and you can count on them lying in wait along the calmer edges where you have logs or weeds. Many of the pike move up into the Big Manistee River itself. Anglers do well by casting along weed edges in 10 to 15 feet of water off Penny Park and near the mouth of the Big Manistee River.

Manistee Lake itself is also hot for fall pike. Many of the pike migrate up the river from Manistee Lake. The pike aren't after salmon, though, but the Big Manistee has an abundance of suckers in it that are prime northern forage. What a lot of people don't know is that the river is full of pike during the fall, too.īig northerns move into the river on the heels of the king salmon run in September. Tom Irwin at (231) 788-6612.īIG MANISTEE RIVER The Big Manistee River has a national reputation for its renowned steelhead and salmon fishing. To book a Muskegon Lake pike charter, contact Capt. Anglers who like to cast will find that jumbo spinnerbaits and crankbaits will work, too.įor lake maps, information on access and lures, contact Shoreline Service at (231) 759-7254. When the bite is hot during October and November, Irwin admits though that just about anything will work. 18 Rapalas and Husky Jerks, and takes plenty of fish up to 15 pounds.

Irwin employs in-line boards with crankbaits and body baits when targeting Muskegon Lake pike. Muskegon Lake covers some 4,150 acres and most of it is good pike water. Muskegon Lake pike have a host of forge species from which to choose - panfish, shiners and other native baitfish and alewives. They could be along structure or suspended over deeper water.

Irwin said a key is to use your electronics to locate schools of baitfish. This forces the baitfish out into the open and the pike key in on them.'

'Once the water starts to cool off, the weeds in the lake begin to die. 'Right after turnover in the fall is one of the best times for big pike,' said Muskegon Lake guide Tom Irwin.

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