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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 |
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Use 12-17lb. Test line with an 18-24" #20 monofilament or nylon covered wire shock
leader.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
- If you plan to release the northern, do not touch the gill or eye areas.
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