5-7-14 Wed

5-7-2014 2PM – 8PM
Weather: 1553, E15 G23, overcast, 65˚, 29.75 falling
Water: clear, 56 ˚, 6.56 falling, 4.2 kcfs
Who: Myself
Where: Black River, Highway 93 Landing
Caught: 3 pike 20 – 27”, 1 LMB 13”, 1 SMB 14”

Comments:

Every year I wait for certain river conditions on the Black River to fish for pike. The water cannot be too high, because if it is the fish will not be where I fish. But if it is too low I am unable to navigate to the lake on account of there is not enough water to float a boat into the lake. The lake is off a side channel of the Black, and usually a chain saw is needed to make the passage. This year was no exception, some braches needed to be removed from my path.
The lakes fishing quality has deteriorated over the years from sedimentation and an increase of water flow into it from its source. Today I only managed one twenty inch pike from the lake, whereas last year I caught more than twenty. It is possible the fish are not yet there or they just were not biting. I did hit some other back bay area’s off the river, with limited success.

Observations:

It is still quite cold and the seasonal growing season has once again been retarded. I noticed my first oriole at the feeder on Monday, and yesterday I saw my first ever red breasted grosbeak there. The magnolia bushes are now blooming.