There are few developments along the lower Peshtigo River due to the abundant wetlands. Even if the pike fishing isn't too good, you could catch a large salmon, trout or walleye. There's also plenty of wildlife, especially waterfowl, to view during spring in this semi-wilderness setting.

The Peshtigo's pike move into Green Bay when the water warms up, but a few always stay in the river throughout the summer months. In fall, about the time when duck and deer hunting is in full swing, the big gators return. Open-water fishing can be excellent until ice-up.

For travel and lodging information in the Peshtigo area, contact the Peshtigo Chamber of Commerce at (715) 582-0327, or you can log on to www.peshtigochamber.com.

OCONTO RIVER
Another Green Bay tributary with the same regulations as the Peshtigo is the Oconto River. Its mouth is 10 miles southwest as the crow flies from Peshtigo Harbor. It's a larger stream than the Peshtigo and has an excellent boat ramp near Green Bay in Breakwater Park. The park road goes to the end of the breakwater, and there's good fishing on the breakwater for shore-anglers. Open-water pike fishing is excellent in this area, trophy fish are caught regularly and it's in a more civilized setting than the Peshtigo River.

All Green Bay tributaries have good fishing in spring and fall, but the pike move into the bay in the summer months. Green Bay has a lot of acres of water, but you'll do best on big pike by hunting for the weedbeds. These are often small weedbeds -- sometimes just a sparse scattering of algae growth -- yet they will still hold the forage species on which pike feed.

If you launch in the Oconto River, concentrate your search between the Oconto River and the Peshtigo River to the north. Both casting and trolling will catch fish if they are in the mood, but trolling covers more water in less time.

To learn more about the Oconto area, call the Oconto Chamber of Commerce at (920) 834-2255 or visit www.ocontocounty.org.

LOWER FOX RIVER
The Lower Fox River below the De Pere dam is another waterway where ice-out comes early. It falls under Lake Michigan fishing regulations, which means there is no closed season on northern pike. The daily limit is five fish, with no minimum size restriction north of Waldo Boulevard in Manitowoc.

This stretch of river is well known for its walleye fishery, but pike move into the river from Green Bay right along with the walleyes. Walleye anglers catch plenty of incidental pike. Three-footers are common and 40-inch fish aren't unheard of. Pike hunters will specifically target them with larger baits and lures in the shallower water.

The time to hit this urban stream is March or April, or as soon as the ice leaves the Fox. After the water warms up, the pike head downstream to Green Bay and don't return until the water cools in autumn.

For travel and lodging information, contact the Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau at (920) 494-9507 or toll-free at 1-888-867-3342, or log on to www.packercountry.com.

DOOR COUNTY
Wisconsin's "thumb" is another hotspot for pike anglers who want to be fishing before the general inland season opens in May. It may also be the best destination for trophy northerns in our state. Of course, ice-out doesn't come on a specific date and during a chilly spring, the hardwater often hangs around a long time. It's always best to call ahead to make sure there will be open water when you arrive.