[buzzbaiter]

Not trying to be an debbie downer, I was simply pointing out that no fish is released unharmed and you cannot deny Pike get handled fairly roughly by those who catch them. I've seen way too many pics here of Pike bleeding profusely(not just the mouth but from the gills) or covered in mud, sand or leaves from being dragged/dropped on the ground. Those of us who have come to love this fishery the state has created want to keep it that way. Impossible? Maybe so but if you take some measures like single hook lures or even barbless, limit the picture taking to truly big fish(36"+) and don't drag/drop them on the ground or grab them with dry gloves or hands, we can spare a few unnecessary deaths of these river monsters. Anyhow sorry if I seem a tad critical just don't want to see this fishery decline to where one pike per trip becomes a good day.