If you've never fished Lake Bemidji in late summer or fall, you have no idea what lush, green cabbage beds look like. Almost the entire perimeter of the lake is full of this leafy weed that seems to draw pike like a magnet. The best spots are the outside edge where pike can sit inside the cabbage and ambush prey swimming by, preferably the prey at the end of your line.

For more information, contact www.VisitBemidji.com or call (800) 458-2223.

UPPER RED LAKE
Beltrami County
Upper Red Lake is the biggest puddle in the entire state, but only part of it is open to anglers who are not members of the Red Lake band of Chippewa Indians. The boundary is not always well marked on maps and the actual boundary is not a true north-south line. To simplify, it is recommended that anglers stay east of the longitudinal coordinate of 94° 43´ 12.0˝ W. to ensure they are on state waters.

The main landing is on the east side of the lake right off Highway 72 by Waskish. While only part of the lake is open to angling, Sathre said they are some of the most productive acres of water anywhere in the state. The crappie and walleye bites have long been talked about, but it's the pike bite that has many anglers salivating.

"Upper Red is a beautiful lake for plenty of 40-inch and larger northerns," Sathre said. He urged anglers to practice catch-and-release so this fantastic trophy fishery can continue.

Sathre likened pike fishing on Upper Red to muskie fishing for the catch-and-release ethic but also with tackle, rods and reels. These big girls will bust your regular tackle, so bring the muskie gear so you can wrestle one in, photograph it, then release it.

Casting bionic bucktails to the shore or dragging a jig and shiner in the northeastern portion of the state is always effective as is the area around Tamarac. Because this is such a large lake, base your fishing locations on the wind. When the wind is blowing gently, the windswept shore can be great. When the wind is dangerous, head to safe water because there are plenty of pike to be caught while staying safe rather than risk it.

For more information, contact www.upperredlakeassn.com.

LAKE MILLE LACS
Aitkin County
The big pond is another terrific multi-species lake where big pike usually take a back seat to other fish. This lack of attention has helped grow some massive pike and makes it one of the best lakes for a shot at a 40-inch or larger pike. The DNR's 2007 lake survey produced 43 pike, 14 longer than 30 inches and 22 in the 25- to 29-inch range. That's a huge average and a good enough excuse to leave the walleye rig at home in favor of more heavy equipment.

Mille Lacs is an easy lake to access with other anglers being the main difficulty in getting where you want. If the public access parking lots are full, go to one of the many resorts and marinas and pay a minimal charge to launch your boat. There are big pike to be had throughout the lake, so wherever you end up launching from there's a good shot at a nice pike.