While pike fishing might not be at the top spot of many angler’s prime quarry, pike fishing does enjoy a storied tradition, dominant numbers, a fighting temperament and many other qualities that make pike angling an enjoyable sport. As far back as Roman times there are documented accounts of angling for pike. Pike can be found in large numbers in several freshwater lakes and rivers in the northern United States and Canada. Large pike populations can also be found in Europe and there is also one saltwater population of pike in the Baltic Sea. Because pike are dominant in the food chain conservationists are hesitant of introducing pike to lakes outside their native habitats and care must be taken by pike anglers to obey any specific rules and regulations for any fishing municipality.
The northern pike can live for up to 30 years but their typical life span ranges from about 5 to 15 years. In terms of spawning, pike generally reach reproductive maturity in a year, and pike spawning begins as soon as the water reaches a temperature greater than 48 degrees Fahrenheit. Since spawning season is prime time to for pike anglers to snag one out of the water, May through June are the prime spring months in most lakes for pike fishing. During spawning season both male and female pike will frequent warm, weedy shallows of lakes, as will the bulk of the fish they feed upon. The weeds provide natural protection for pike eggs and the attraction of prey fish allows female pike to quickly regain their strength after spawning.
In terms of pike fishing gear, many of the lures that work well for bass will also work for pike. Pike will eat anything from insects to leeches, small aquatic invertebrates, fish such as minnow and perch, even frogs and ducklings. If a pike can fit it between their jaws, it’s fair game for them. Pike are primarily solo ambush hunters, but will congregate to where their food source is. Thus its not uncommon to find them in clusters, though they are not a school fish. Pike will attack their prey (or your bait) by catching it sideways in their mouth. When their prey is disabled they will spit it out to take it in head first.
Knowing about how pike eat and what their primary food source is in a particular lake or river will increase your likelihood of a catch. During the months of May and June, spawning season, the pike will be in the weedy shallows. As the months move on they will move into deeper waters and will follow the migratory patterns of their prey fish. Again they prefer weed beds, rocky outcroppings, and narrow channels such as between the shore and an island in the middle of a river. Basically any place that provides them with cover to create an ambush is a good place to look for them.
When selecting your pike fishing gear durability is a must. Choose spinners and lures that work well in the weeds because that’s likely where you’ll be fishing. Colors such as red, black, or orange work well and sunny days, whereas metallic colors such as gold and silver tend to work better on overcast days. While these are guidelines never be afraid to rely on gut instinct to deviate from the norm. Pike fishing is as much an art form as it is a science. Experiment with bait presentation as well. Speeding up or slowing down your recovery as well as pauses and jerks can make your lure more closely emulate a potential food source such as a crippled minnow. If you have the opportunity to see the pike you are casting to be sure to cast three to four feet beyond the pike, let your line settle, and reel it back towards the pike. Continue with your recovery even if the pike isn’t biting. Often times a pike may wait until just before your lure breaks the plane of the water before striking. If nothing seems to be working for you, talk to other anglers on the water and find out what’s working for them. Otherwise move to another spot on the lake. Angling pressure can force a change in pike behavior.
For the pike angler content on catch and release fishing being gentle with the pike will ensure that you and others will have the opportunity to fight with it again. Needle nosed pliers and a fish gag can make hook removal much easier and safer for both you and the fish. Handle the fish in the water as much of the time as possible and take any pictures quickly. Additionally protect the mucous lining of its scales by not touching it with dry hands. If fishing from shore do not drag it through sand or mud as this can damage their gills.
For the pike angler content on a tasty meal, larger pike can be filleted fairly easily, and baking the pike rather than frying can dissolve many of the smaller bones that can make eating a pike difficult. Regardless of what you do with your catch be sure to obey whatever fishing regulations are in place for a particular pike lake or river. The rules are in place to maintain a balanced ecosystem of pike and their prey without pressuring out other native stocks such as salmon or trout while ensuring the thrill of pike fishing will continue.