Northern pike outlook good up north for Minnesota Fishing Opener

Over half-a-million anglers are expected to hit the waters for Saturday’s Minnesota Fishing Opener. Waters are starting to ice out just in time the weekend signaling good news for fans of northern pike.

"Northern pike resource in Minnesota is terrific in many places, particularly northern Minnesota," said DNR fisheries section manager Brad Parsons. "We have in essence an over abundance of little pike so in recent years we’ve changed our regulations where you can keep more of those little fish, and I really encourage people to go out and do that."

When it comes to pike those from Duluth to International Falls and East are in the Northeast zone. There anglers can keep two pike. All from 30 to 40 inches require release, and only one over 40 inches is allowed in possession.