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   Northern Pike

(Please Note: Some of this information only applies in New York and/or the United States)

Average 4-7 lbs.
Frequently Caught 5-12 lbs.
Lunker 14-18 lbs.
Monster 20-25 lbs.
New York State Record 46 lbs. 2 oz.
Comfort Range 55-75 deg. F
Feed Temperature 60-65 deg. F

 

Profile:

No other gamefish is so loved or hated as the northern, alias means machine, trout killer, snake, barracuda, and poorman's Atlantic Salmon. One thing is certain, however: all who do battle with this "eating machine" admit, pound for pound, the northerner's fighting and jumping ability equals or better than most other freshwater gamefish.

Best Fishing:

Fishing is good to excellent during May and June, then again from September to freeze-up around mid-December. The northern then become a favorite with ice fishing enthusiasts.   

While fishing is merely fair to good for most anglers during the summer months, it is excellent for serious pike hunters. These pros know from experience that lunker pike go deep on structure during the hot summer months. They also know during hot weather the early bird gets the worm.

Recommended Baits and Lures:

Baits: 4-8" shiner and chub; 7-10" sucker

Lures: 3-6" spoon, large Swingblades spinner, 4-8" plug (medium and deep running), 1/2 oz. spinner bait.

Pike Tips:
  1. Fish for Northerns in shallow weedy bays, shorelines, that drop off onto weedline/rocky structure. During the spring and fall, fish the shallows 1-20’ deep. In warm summer months, especially during bright daylight hours, fish shady structure 10-35’ deep.
  2. Pike have a poor sense of smell but have great sight and hearing. This makes them primarily daylight feeders. Early morning from dawn to mid-morning, produce the most fish; late afternoon till dusk are the second best hours to fish.
  3. When working a lure, vary the retrieves from slow to fast and on occasion, bottom tick. The idea is to excite your fish into striking.
  4. Use 12-17lb. Test line with an 18-24" #20 monofilament or nylon covered wire shock leader.
  5. Pike hit a "bait" from the side and slightly to the rear. Their strike approach is usually a 3-12’ straight line surge. This pattern tells us straight running lures are favored pike "baits."
  6. When fishing with live bait, use a slip bobber during bright daylight hours and go deep, down to 35-40’. This is where you find the monster northerns.
  7. Northerns have a sharp, cutting teeth, so be extra careful when handling one. A net with a large opening is your best bet. Use the netting to help hold the fish and remove the hook with a pair of long-nosed pliers.
  8. If you plan to release the northern, do not touch the gill or eye areas.
 
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This page was last edited: Thursday, June 24, 1999