Photo by Tim Lesmeister

Northern pike are not native to any New England water other than Lake Champlain. Yet these toothy predators now exist in all six states. While some states struggle to limit or reduce their pike numbers, other states gladly stock them -- to control panfish populations and to provide additional fishing opportunities.

Here’s a roundup of some of the best hardwater destinations for hot winter pike action near you:

CONNECTICUT
Mansfield Hollow Reservoir
This reservoir, in the town of Mansfield, is one of three lakes in eastern Connecticut that the state stocks with pike.

“We have three pike-spawning marshes in the eastern portion of the state,” said Chris McDowell, a Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Fisheries Division biologist.

When there is adequate production, in addition to stocking portions of the Connecticut River from these three eastern marshes the DEP also stocks three other lakes in eastern Connecticut, including Mansfield Hollow, which “has been stocked with as many as 2,700 pike each year,” McDowell said.

“Over the next few seasons, we’ll be seeing what type of natural recruitment is going on. It won’t be stocked with juvenile pike for the next few years. However, because of the massive flooding as we were going to draw the lake down last year, we think a large majority of pike escaped into Mansfield Hollow.

“According to our angler surveys, a lot of people are catching pike here early in the season and again just before ice out,” McDowell continued, advising anglers to “fish with live shiners near the weed edges.”

High-action areas include the boat launch side of the reservoir and around the lake’s several islands.

For information on bait and currents, try Ryan’s Bait Shop on the North Windham Road Extension off Route 6.

Lake Lillinonah
“Another good place that’s kind of a sleeper is Lake Lillinonah,” biologist Tim Barry offered. “It’s one of the larger impoundments on the Housatonic River, so anglers need to be cautious about ice conditions. Fish the coves early, because the river doesn’t freeze as early as other lakes in the region.

“The hotspot for pike is what we call the Shepaug Arm, where the Shepaug River comes in,” Barry continued. (Continued)

He noted that access could be tough at the Arm. The Lake Lillinonah State Boat Launch area off Route 133 provides access to the main stem of the lake, but would be a very long hike to the Shepaug Arm.

A second site, Pond Brook State Boat Launch, also offers good lake access. For access closer to the Shepaug Arm, anglers will need to obtain landowner permission.

“The lake seems to be producing more pike in the last several years,” Barry noted. “And very large pike, as well. Our current state record is out of Lillinonah, and most of the pike we see in there are from the Bantam Lake river system.”

Visit Valley Angler in Danbury for bait, access information and “where to fish today” tips, or call them at (203) 792-8324.

In the Nutmeg State, the daily creel limit on pike is two fish, with a minimum length of 26 inches.

MAINE
Sabattus Pond
Pike aren’t particularly welcome in the Pine Tree State, where trout and salmon have dominated the scene for decades. However, they do thrive in many waters here, following illegal introductions.