Not too uncommon for the females to be putting on the feed bags right now. They are getting the fat stores they need to keep the eggs developing for the early spring, late winter spawn. During the winter months, they usually feed just to maintain, not develope.

I have seen this a lot over the years. I'll bet the the males are with them, but the females are just so agressive that the males can't get a word in edgewise ( did I actually write that? Ooops).

How big are the grass pickerels?

The perch I caught there last saturday were mostly females with egg sacks but a few were males with plenty of milt.

if you are interested in eating something different those eggs are great! keep them in the sacks deep fry with your fav, batter or how ever you like to cook your fish. give it a try you may like them! <')//<

I just love reading your reports on Eloika. I am so close to putting a couple of major projects to bed and will finally have some time to hit the water again soon. The bite will probably be off by the time I can get out though (mid-November). No reason not go anyway!

"I'll bet the the males are with them, but the females are just so agressive that the males can't get a word in edgewise ( did I actually write that? Ooops)."

LMAO I was gonna say that but I like being married and she reads this stuff too.
The pickerels are from about 6-8 inches. The biggest one is the one in the photo I posted and it was maybe 11 inches. http://www.skychasers.net/grass_pickerel.htm That is about as big as they get. They are worthless fish if you are looking for something for the skillet, but they are really cool looking duck billed little predators. Next time we get one I'll try to get a good photo of its face.

I saved the eggs and froze them because they looked like excellent trout bait. Hadn't thought about eating them myself.

Hope we see you out there someday hewesfisher. I always read your reports too. :) We try to get out on Eloika a couple times a week. Look for a red toyota pu with a canopy in the parking lot. Thats us. It's definitely our favorite lake and is only 20 minutes away from home. We like it so much we have been looking for some lake front property there. OUCH Sticker shock. But it would be a great investment too, right? Thats what I keep telling Sammi. lol

had a very similar experience the last two weeks of the regular season @ badger. nearly all females (cutthroats), fat & full of eggs. i agree with the opinions above, i'm sure they were just aggressively feeding to pour on the pounds for winter.

eloika's open year-round, right? might have to make a drive up there in search of crappie!