Pike, also known as the great northern pike and various other names, are considered an exciting game fish due to their aggressive fight. They vary in color from dark green to olive tones, and brown with gold flecks. Their torso exhibits yellowish to whitish markings shaped similar to a kidney bean with their underbelly being white or creamed colored. Pike have a duckbilled jaw with long sharp teeth. Pike are found mostly in the northern regions of the world in cold waters.



Pike spawn before shortly before fall in water temperatures ranging from 40 to 45 degrees. Spawning last between 5 to 10 days. This is important to pike anglers because pike feed heavily several days prior to spawning and are quick to bite, but once spawning begins, they do not bite again until after spawning is over.

Pike enjoy murky lakes and rivers which can make it challenging to an angler when pike fishing. They have extremely adapted senses, and even when blind have no problem locating food. The adult pike diet consists of mainly other fish. Adult pike will eat other fish from one-fourth to one-half their own length and up to 20% of their own weight. Other known foods pike will eat are frogs and crayfish but they prefer soft-finned fish. Suckers make excellent natural bait.

Pike are most active during daylight hours. If the water is clear they will sometimes feed into the night and go on feeding binges from late fall to early winter. Small pike spend the majority of their time in shallow weedy areas, bigger pike, more then 30 inches in length, frequent shallow weeds in the spring but as the water temperatures rise, move to deeper cooler water

Best fishing times for pike are early morning and under heavily overcast weather and in light to moderate chop water. Peak water temperature for pike feeding is 65 degrees so check water temperatures prior to fishing.

Pike fishing outfits must be tough yet light so it does not wear you out when you are undertaking the battle of pulling a pike in. Longer rods are better because of casting accuracy and control on the retrieve. They also make deeper figure eights (moving lure or bait in a figure eight pattern). With longer rods, you have more hook setting power and better control once hooked.

The tip of your rod should be made of silicone carbide or carboloy to avoid grooves setting in and frayed lines.

Baitcasting gear is preferred over spinning gear due to durability. A smooth drag is essential; pike have habit of making fast powerful runs and the smoother the drag, better chances of securing the pike. Common baits used in pike fishing are bucktails, spinner baits, spoons, crank bait, vibrating plugs, minnow, trolling plugs, jerkbait, flies, and natural bait.

Pike fishing is all about timing, water temperatures, location, bait, and equipment. Blending these key tips will bring you many hours of enjoyable pike fishing.