GARRISON – There is nothing like cool water to create hot action. It happens every year and more and more fishermen are taking advantage of it.

Less than two weeks ago, the surface water temperature on much of sprawling Lake Sakakawea was reaching a daytime high of nearly 74 degrees. With cooler, more fall-like weather settling in for the past several days, Sakakawea surface temperatures have dropped into the 66- to 68-degree range. The difference has been enough to trigger fish, particularly northern pike, into beginning their annual ritual of gorging themselves before winter weather arrives.

Fish need to feed now to support their survival during what is often a long, cold winter under the ice. Anglers are catching fish with regularity where fish seemed remarkably scarce during times of warmer water. For those fishermen who have not yet put their boat away for the season, it is a marvelously wonderful and productive time to be on the water.

Biologists confirm that the northern pike population in Lake Sakakawea is likely at an all-time high. There is no question that big water grows big fish, and Lake Sakakawea is the largest body of water in the state. Although bigger catches were reported last year, it appeared that Lake Sakakawea boasted an impressive year class of pike in the 12- to 16-pound range in 2015. Fishermen are hoping that the largest of those fish will be approaching 20 pounds this fall.

In past years, 20-pound pike were caught with regularity on Lake Sakakawea, but 20-pounders have been hard to come by for several years running. Now, with a surge in population and plenty of pike surviving to lunker size, this fall has the potential to be one of the best periods of fishing for big pike ever experienced on the state’s biggest water. An encouraging indicator is that three whopper pike, those weighing 20 pounds or more, were registered with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in August. It could be a sign of things to come.

While it might be difficult for this fall’s fishing to match the best monster pike years in Sakakawea history, avid pike chasers are confident the chances of catching pike of 20 pounds or more are increasing every month. Really though, pike in the 10- to 12-pound class, which currently appear to be numerous in Lake Sakakawea, can put any angler and his equipment to the test.

Big northern pike in cool water can be very aggressive. Hooking into one provides moments many fishermen seek to achieve. Whether pike are kept for the frying pan or returned to the water, they can peel out drag on most reels and provide plenty of fall fishing fun.

Sometimes pike prefer subtle presentations such as glide baits or suspending baits. Favorites of pike fishermen include the Salmo Sting and Rapala’s Shadow Rap, although the latter has small hooks that can add a degree of difficulty to catching big pike.

Topwater tactics

What is very nice plus for fishermen is that a wide variety of lures can catch pike in the fall. Virtually everything from spoons to spinnerbaits to Bull Dawgs will work on any given day. However, for many fishermen, topwater presentations are the rule. Not only do topwater lures attract and catch big pike, they add a visual excitement to fishing that is enjoyable to watch.

Topwater lures that work well on fall pike include large buzzbaits, “walking the dog” with Zara spooks and other presentations like Larry Dahlberg Whopper Ploppers and Joe Bucher Top Raiders. Imitation frog baits can cause viscous strikes.

When fishing topwater anglers will experience all types of reaction from northern pike. Some fish with follow the lure for several yards before grabbing it. Other pike will come up from underneath the lure and explode through the surface with the lure firmly in its mouth. Some pike will burst out of the water and grab the lure on the way down. Still others will swirl and swish and turn water into a froth without ever being hooked.

From a fisherman’s point of view, it is all great fun. The anticipation of catching a fish while seeing it chase a topwater bait is infinite entertainment. There’s another bonus too. Topwater baits on Lake Sakakawea for fall pike are also excellent enticements for smallmouth bass. Smallies will hit baits so large that that they often cause even veteran fishermen to shake their heads in disbelief.

Where to fish

The first rule of fishing is, “You don’t know if you don’t throw.” In other words, find a spot and give it a try. The results may surprise you with the catch of a lifetime or simply the reward of knowing you found a spot the fish liked too.

Key areas for fall pike include flooded timber, edges of small patches of weeds or large weed beds and an area of deep water nearby. Pike on the hunt will be found anywhere from 3 to 15 feet of water. One factor to keep in mind is to match your lure to the area you are fishing. For example, topwater lures are an excellent choice for timber and weed beds. It is easy to pull topwater presentations through those areas without fear of getting hung up. Spinner baits and suspending lures are good choices to work along the edges of weed beds. When worked carefully, they’ll do the job in suspended timber too.

Every fisherman has their own theory on what color or size or shape of lure to use. A basic rule of thumb is that pike chase bright colors, but it is not an absolute. The axiom of dark lures on overcast days and light lures on sunny days has many followers. The real key, regardless of lure choice, is to go where the pike are and fall is the perfect time for fishermen to match their skills against a powerful predator.