Cree Lake Lodge Fishing

The Northern Pike fishing at Cree Lake can only be described as remarkable. Northerns over 50″ long are to be had along with a consistent flow of 40″ plus fish. These fish are big, aggressive and because of the lack of pressure, take a variety of offerings. The real ability to catch Northern Pike just about anyway you can imagine is not just a story at Cree Lake Lodge, it’s simply the truth.

Baitcasting Rods:

• 6’6″ or 7′ medium/heavy casting rod, rated for 15-30 lb. test line, and heavier lure weights
• Although one-piece rods offer superior casting control, feel, and hook setting properties, transporting these into the far north is a problem. Therefore, we suggest a high quality two-piece rod.
• Longer handle lengths are definitely an asset, as they provide increased leverage when it comes to fighting large fish.

Baitcasting Reels:

• High-performance, well-maintained casting reel, loaded with NEW 15-30 lb. test quality line
• The ideal Northern Pike casting reel should have a large line capacity, with a heavy duty, smooth drag system.
• Gear ratio is not a major factor in Northern Pike fishing, as baits are seldom “ripped”.

Spinning Rods:

• 6’6″ or 7′ medium/heavy spinning rod, rated for 15-30 lb. test line and heavier lure weights
• As with baitcasting rods, longer handles are definitely an asset.

Spinning Reels:

• High-performance, larger-capacity, spinning reel, loaded with NEW 15-30 lb. test quality line
• Line capacity and a smooth, responsive, heavy duty drag system are essential.

Hard Baits:

• Spinners such as Mepps and Bluefox, Bucktail and marabou dressed spinners are very effective. Larger sizes and an assortment of colors is a good idea.
• Topwater Baits such as floating Rapalas, Zara Spooks, Bomber Long “A”, etc. Colors such as chartreuse, silver, and blue work well. Larger topwater baits fished slowly often attract big pike.

Spoons:

• Medium to large spoons, such as Len Thompson, Luhr Jensen, Eppinger, Williams Wobbler, etc.
• A selection of colors and patterns, such as “Five of Diamonds”, “Red and White”, silvers, golds, “Black and White”, will serve you well.

Soft Baits:

• • Slug-O’s, Pork-O’s, Berkeley Power Minnows – 6″ (and larger) soft baits such as these, fished behind a single hook, allowed to drift and dart through sunken vegetation can be deadly!

• We do carry some popular tackle for purchase in the lodge as well.

• 9-10 weight rod, 8-12′ in length. You will need enough “backbone” to be able to cast large streamers, often in windy conditions.

• Good quality, higher- capacity reel, with plenty of backing to handle long runs.

• Floating line for surface and sub-surface angling.

• Weight-forward, sinking tip line, for deeper presentations.

• 30-60 lb. monofilament for shock tippets.

• An assortment of colorful streamers, “poppers”, and “flashy” flies with large profiles. As there are really no “classic” patterns for fly-fishingNorthern Pike, almost any bright, undulating type presentation has the potential to trigger a strike from a trophy northern. Saltwater-type streamers, on single or tandem hooks, dressed in marabou, Flashaboo, bucktail, mylars, etc. are effective. Cork, rubber-legged “poppers”, as well as classic minnow profiles work well.

• A sturdy, high quality rod case will protect your investment during the trip.
• Extra spools of fishing line, in test ranges rated for your rods and reels.
• Lubricating oil for reel maintenance.
• A selection of small tools for emergency reel repair, etc.
• It never hurts to pack one or two spare rods and reels.