Northern Pike have a reputation and many befitting names like slewsharks, snotrockets, hammerhandles, and others you most likely know... We call them gators and more often angry gators. Veroscious, fearsome, agressive, relentless, disgusting, and crazy almost describe their look and behavior but fall short. They are predators and very effective at it. The angry gators at Watta are plentiful. Every shore on the entire lake when fished shallow enough will reveal pike. There are quite a few shallow bays where they thrive and there are many weed beds where they can be seen lurking. In the spring and fall the large angry gators have consistently been found in front of the lodge and in one channel where (and when) the trout have moved into.

   Pike (like trout) are a good fish to socialize to as you can troll for them and get breaks or cast while trolling. Really good and amazing fish stories of freshwater angling most likely refer to gators. They are unpredictable but when you hear of the fantastic stories about them your probably not one bit surprised hearing what their capable of. Lunging out of the water to take a hook dangling at the side of boat... Taking 2 lures from 2 anglers at the same time... An angry gator taking a smaller gator that has taken your lure... stories of their size and force... and stories of their lack of size with incredible tenacity and verocity. Anything and everything is possible.

   Pike are not just a predatory species out for food. They are an angry territorial wrecking machine. If you have lures in your tackle box that you've ever wondered if they work or want to see them work, put them infront of a pike or in the general area of a pike. They will be attacked with surprising speed and accuracy and if your lure lasts an afternoon in pike waters, it will most likely be bent and disfigured or at the very least, stripped of it's colorful paint job.

   The rows of teeth in their large shovel of a mouth are simply menacing. They are said to be the fastest freshwater fish 'out of the gate' and it's easy to believe with their large finned tail and slender slimy body. Other fish, lures, small waterfowl, and pretty much anything that moves has little chance against an angry gator. Pike are simply an amazing sport fish and our cool waters not only keep them excited and active but also help to keep their meat firm and tasty. Pike fried in a cast iron pan on the open fire will undoubtedly surprise you.

   Pike deserve respect and attention and because of their abundance, their toughness, and their ability to surprise and entertain you with their fighting antics, the gators are a hit with all ages trying to learn how to fish and not to mention how to safely remove hooks for if you can handle a pike you can handle any sport fish.