MOHAWK - Discovering the Valley of the Crystals Copyright 2004
Chapter 15
Fishing
Through the Years
Fish To
Catch
Pike
Pike are elongated fish with dorsal and anal fins located near the tail. (see photo) Duckbill jaws have large pointed and very sharp teeth. Very slimy to touch.
Northern Pike
A native fish that produces naturally in the river, and in some tributaries
and impoundments. Prefers slow to still water in or near weeds. Preferred
temperatures 50-70 degrees F. Spawns in spring just after ice out in shallow
marshes and flooded meadows. Preferred foods are other fish, but will also
east crayfish, frogs and ducklings.
Northern pike are dark to greenish brown with light bean-shaped spots
on sides, and a white belly. Size 20-30 inches, up to 35 inches, 10 pounds.
(Pike up to 30 pounds have been caught from the river and Delta Lake.)
Barge Canal near Rome. It was taken on a shiner. The fish was released. (photo provided)
Northern pike season begins the first Saturday of May and ends March 15. Limit is 5 fish that are 18 inches or longer. Refer to NYS DEC Fishing Regulations Guide for current size limit and special regulations.
Tiger muskellunge (also called norlunge) were stocked in the Mohawk River by DEC to provide "trophy" fishing. They are a hybrid cross between a male northern pike and a female muskellunge. No natural spawning takes place because tigers are sterile hybrids. Preferred temperatures 50-70 degrees F. Preferred foods are other fish and almost anything that moves under or on top of the water.
Tiger Muskie have dark vertical bars on sides with "electric blue" background
coloration. Size 24 to 38 inches. The river has produced a number of 20-pound
plus fish.
Mark Eychner caught this monster Tiger Muskie through the ice
on the Barge Canal near Rome.
It was 42-inches long with a 17-inch gerth. The fish was released.
(Photo provided)
Tiger muskie season begins the first Saturday of May and ends March 15. Limit is 1 fish that is 30 inches or longer. Refer to NYS DEC Fishing Regulations Guide for current size limit and special regulations.
For in depth information on the Mohawk River and tributaries see:
Chapter Twelve The Tributaries
