The DNR's Jim Waybrant said in a "status of the fishery" resource report that area residents have cherished this lake's big pike and walleyes for more than 100 years, accounting for the early development of cottages around its northern and western shores. Much remains undeveloped, though, because the eastern and southern shorelines are mainly owned by the U.S. Forest Service, which operates a campground and boat launch just perfect for pike anglers.

Local folks have often complained that the lake grows so many suckers and draws in even more from Lake Superior that it damages Au Train Lake's fishing. Sucker removal efforts have had little effect on their numbers, though, and biologists aren't too concerned about them. Pike, walleyes and bass are all doing pretty well in the lake, where small but numerous perch provide plenty of chow.

The lake was surveyed in 1994, and again in 2002, and over that time the northern pike numbers and sizes increased dramatically. Pike made up almost 30 percent of the lake's predators by weight, and about 30 percent of them were keepers, meaning 24 inches or longer.

"The increase in northern pike numbers and weight was significant," Waybrant said, "while the (lake's) walleyes and smallmouth bass remained relatively similar to their numbers in the 1994 survey."

Au Train Lake is fed by four streams, the largest of which is the Au Train River, which flows four miles to it from Au Train Basin, which is also called Forest Lake. It is worth noting that Au Train Basin put a dandy 44-inch-Master Angler pike on the list in 2005. Steven Ball of Skandia released the fish, so it could be out there for you, too!

It's also worth noting that Au Train Lake, although large compared with its neighbors, is relatively small as pike lakes go, so it gets quite a bit of pressure. Think about enjoying the battle, then releasing your pike, and then catching walleyes for dinner.

Get local information from the Alger County Chamber of Commerce at (906) 387-2138, or online at AlgerCounty.com.

SAGINAW BAY
Birch Run's Don Bomba -- whose specialty is muskie fishing and who is an official of the Michigan Muskie Alliance -- also loves messing with pike. He calls Saginaw Bay, "a very, very overlooked fishery. Early in the year, until midsummer, I've had 20-fish days out there casting bass-sized spinnerbaits, and jigs with twistertails."

Chris Jeroue is a Midland angler who spends more days on the water than just about anyone else I know. Where would he fish for pike? "The best I can tell you on my pike experience," he replied, "is hitting Hoyles Marina (on Saginaw Bay's southwestern shoreline at Linwood) in the early spring and early fall. They get monsters over there. I've seen pike come out of the water and go after a perch that someone caught. I have had a nice perch bit in half over there."

Indeed. Last summer when I feasted on the bounty of Saginaw Bay's bumper crop of eating-sized walleyes, I learned to take enough crawler harnesses to replace the several that were sure to be bitten off by pike. Tying on a Dardevle, Rapala or other pike favorite would be a great way to take advantage of the bay's rich food supplies.

I've made a mental note to do what I can this year to protect walleye trollers' rigs and Chris Jeroue's perch -- and that's by removing a few big pike from the bay.