The Water Wolf: A Guide to Catching Northern Pike
In the cool, clear lakes and rivers of the north, there is one predator that rules the weed beds. Long, lean, and covered in camouflage, the northern pike is a perfectly designed ambush hunter. The strike of a big pike is one of the most violent and heart-stopping moments in freshwater fishing. They are not subtle, they are not picky, and they are incredibly fun to catch. This guide will teach you how to target these aggressive and toothy critters.
Where to Find Pike: The Ambush Points
Pike are masters of the ambush. They use their natural, chain-like camouflage to hide in and around vegetation, waiting for an unsuspecting meal to swim by. If you want to find pike, you have to find the weeds.
- Weed Lines: The single best place to find pike is along the deep edge of a submerged weed bed, especially cabbage weeds. They will patrol these edges like wolves on a forest line.
- Bays with Lily Pads: Shallow, weedy bays are prime hunting grounds. Cast your lures into any open pockets within the lily pads.
- Submerged Logs and Points: Any piece of structure that offers a good hiding spot with quick access to deeper water is a potential pike lair.
The Best Lures for Pike: Big, Flashy, and Annoying
Pike are not subtle eaters. They respond to flash, vibration, and large profiles that look like a substantial meal. As we covered in our guide to northern lures, these three lure types are must-haves.
- Spoons: The number one pike lure of all time. A large, 3- to 5-inch spoon, like the classic red-and-white Daredevle, has a wobbling, flashing action that pike find irresistible.
- In-Line Spinners: A big in-line spinner with a large blade, like a #5 Mepps, creates a ton of flash and a deep “thump” in the water that calls pike in from a distance.
- Spinnerbaits: The same bass spinnerbaits we use down south are fantastic for pike. Their weedless design makes them perfect for casting right into the thick stuff where the big ones live.
The Importance of a Steel Leader
This is not a suggestion—it is a requirement. A northern pike’s mouth is filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth that will slice through monofilament or fluorocarbon line instantly. You MUST use a wire or heavy-duty fluorocarbon leader of at least 12 inches and 30-pound test. Tie your main line to one end of the leader and your lure to the other. If you don’t, you will lose lures, and more importantly, you will leave hooks in fish, which can be a death sentence for them.
The Explosive Strike and the Fight
A pike strike is pure violence. There is no “tap-tap.” It is a sudden, heavy jolt as the fish slams your lure and often turns to run. You need to respond with a powerful, sweeping hookset to drive the hook home. The fight will be a series of powerful runs and thrashing head shakes. Keep your line tight at all times to prevent the fish from throwing the hook.
Handling a Pike: A Guide to Staying Safe (For You and the Fish)
Handling a large pike requires extreme care. Their teeth are the obvious danger, but their gill plates are also razor sharp. A thrashing pike can cause serious injury.
- Use a Large Net or Cradle: Landing a big pike by hand is a bad idea. A large, rubberized net or a musky cradle is the best way to safely control the fish.
- Use Tools: Do not put your hands in a pike’s mouth. Use long-nosed pliers to remove the hooks. A set of jaw spreaders can be invaluable for keeping the mouth open safely.
- The Proper Hold: The correct and safest way to hold a pike for a photo is to carefully slide your fingers under its gill plate (not in the red gills themselves) and lift, supporting its body with your other hand.
The pike is the aggressive brawler of the north, a perfect counterpart to the walleye in our Guide to Walleye and Pike Fishing.
-Captain Sal
