So, as of late when I haven't had a good block of time to go out in my canoe or inflatable..I would hit this local pond. Last year at this time I was catching more bass than pike (0). However, this year my pike catch rate went up 3200% (32 this year, none last year) and I've been skunked a few times with no bass at all. So I'm beginning to ponder, has the pike taken over?

 

I'm not exactly sure how big the ponds are but my guess is about 4-5 acres. There is a smaller pond next to it that is 2-3 acres, they are both connected to the main river system and share a causeway all between each other (Big to Small to River) Also the smaller pond is connected to a creek that eventually empties into the river. There is also smaller pond above the biggest pond that feeds the bigger one with another causeway. Anyway, both ponds have largemouth/smallmouth, pike, crappies, sunfish, perch, catfish, grass carp and lots of crawfish. Basically whatever the river has, so does pond. The ponds are man made, you can only shore fish because for some reason you aren't allowed to boat at all (canoe or otherwise). Last year I was catching fish around the 1-3 lb mark (mostly largemouth) and didn't catch one pike last year. This year, I've been catching left and right pike in the range of 12"-20". From catching 0 all last season to catching 32 the last 3 weeks seems a little odd. All of them in that range, I know they have big ones lurking in there (lost one while using a spinnerbait about 10ft of shore, would've been my biggest ever). Also I haven't caught any 1-2 lbers at all this year from this pond. All of the bass have been (10) 3-4 lbs, when it was tougher last year to catch a 3lbr. Not that I'm complaining that I'm catching bigger bass, but what happened to the smaller bass? I was chatting with a few of the other regulars and they've been saying the same thing. They are catching lots of small pike, hardly any bass at all. Now I have been fishing this pond for 5 years, but majority of that was worm and bobber (before I learned last season to all the wonderful bass techniques). So I don't have a big history of catching a lot of bass there. Still, I am wondering why such a big difference in my pike catch rate. If I'm to guess I'm sure the upped pike population has the dinks shy away and why only the bigger bass only have been caught. (Maybe my skills have improved so much, I can get the bigger ones now.)

 

I've been using a Super Fluke, Spinnerbaits (white/cht), jigs with craw trailers, and dropshot with power minnows. Once the ponds get matted I'll use a frog and start flippining/pitching into pockets. For your reference on what I'm doing.  So is this a sign that the pike have dominated the water and chasing the bass away? I've been fishing my normal spots that usually produce..weed lines, points, tree cover, quick drop offs (3ft to 6ft) and coves. Should I be worried about the future of this pond and the bass? (Place isn't managed by anyone right now, it's in limbo). I was contemplating instead of releasing the small pike in "good condition", instead I was thinking of mortally wounding them, then release. Would that be wrong? (Sunday morning 6 pike no bass in less than 2 hours) All on a super fluke.

if the fish were coming from the river into the pond then i would release the pike back into the river...

What ever is going on in those bodies of water, catching and then mortally wounding and then releasing is not the answer in my opinion. That is not what I call catch and release. If it is allowed, I agree with red earth and release them back into the river if it can be done safely.

It isn't something I like to do, I usually catch and release everything I catch.  (Well that are native)  If I caught a carp, which I haven't done yet..would instantly be fertilizer.  (It's encouraged obviously)  In some waters here it is "encouraged" by the local Ministry of Natural Resources to keep "pike". I'm just worried that the pike population has gone too high.  The walk to the river is a good distance, so it would be a hassle to do what is suggested.  I'll probably just let it go and see what happens.  I guess whatever happens, happens.  Real shame if the pike has taken over. 

Enjoy It, Pike Are A Blast To Fish.

Enjoy It, Pike Are A Blast To Fish.

I agree with the bigger ones 30" or higher, but the dinks are like pulling weeds in...no fight. Not as fun as bass!

If you can get away from the veggies, try that. I'd guess that for whatever reason the pike had a good spawn and those skinny little guys are now everywhere.  They'll always be around vegetation, so if you can find open water, you might find the bass...but will have to fish for them differently.  Might also try right up against the bank if you have some wood or a sharper slope.

Are they Pike(great northern pike) or its smaller cousin the chain pickerel?

The pike grow to 50" + / - as where the biggest chain pickerel I caught so far are 30".

Either way I love the fight from these awesome predators. Seeing this fight makes me wonder how the larger muskies are to battle. I would try a weighted worm so it goes deeper.

I have a buddy who takes everything he catches even the boney ones, they make fish cakes out of them.

They are Northern Pike, no pickerel in the waters here.  They do have big ones in the pond lurking, I lost one about 10' from shore...I would've been in the 36"-40", it would've been a PB.  That was for sure a fight.

A very good tasting fish as well

A very good tasting fish as well

Yeah I hear that, not sure I'd eat anything out of the pond though.  Even though they came from the river nearby, just a lot of geese and the water looks nice and gross.