Northern Pike: Where and How to Catch Them by Season
Where Northern Pike hold, what to throw and when the bite peaks, season by season, with lakes to try.
When the bite is on
Across 1205 lakes in our guide that list this fish, the bite rates highest in January, February, October. Bars show how strong the bite is, month by month (tallest bar in red is the peak).
Season by season
Near ice-out, in 35-50F water, pike run to shallow marshy bays and creek mouths in 1-6 ft to spawn and feed. Large minnow suckers, spoons, and jerkbaits are best. Fish sunny afternoons.
With water above 70F, pike seek deeper, cooler water and weed edges at 10-25 ft. Spinnerbaits, big spoons, and swimbaits along weed lines. Early and late are best.
Cooling water at 45-60F pulls pike back to the weed edges and shallows to feed on baitfish. This is prime time for large pike on big jerkbaits, bucktails and live suckers.
Winter pike hold on points and the edges of weed beds in 8-25 ft. Tip-ups with large live baitfish are the classic ice method. Mornings and evenings are best.
Spawn occurs soon after ice-out in 38-50F water, in flooded grass and shallow marshes. No nests are built, and fishing is often restricted, so check local rules.
Baits that work
- Bucktail spinners
- Large spoons
- Jerkbaits
- Inline spinners
- Live suckers on a quick-strike rig
Common mistakes
- Skipping a steel or fluorocarbon leader
- Handling by the eyes or gills
- Lifting a fish by the jaw without tools
- Fishing too fast in cold water
Lakes to try
Lakes in our guide where this fish rates at its best, with maps, boat ramps and bait shops on every page.