How to Catch Northern Pike: 7 Proven Tips That Guarantee More Strikes
Northern pike fishing is one of the most exciting experiences in freshwater angling. These aggressive, toothy predators offer hard strikes and thrilling fights, making them a top target for anglers across North America and Europe. In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to fish for pike, including the best pike fishing lures, rods, bait, and seasonal tactics to help you catch more fish.
Northern pike (Esox lucius) are large, predatory fish known for their sharp teeth, lightning-fast strikes, and solitary hunting behavior. They thrive in cool, weedy waters and can grow over 40 inches long and weigh more than 20 pounds.
Best Places to Catch Northern Pike
To increase your catch rate, target pike in the following areas:
- Weed beds and submerged vegetation
- Drop-offs and points in lakes and rivers
- Mouths of creeks and backwater sloughs
- Cooler, deeper water in mid-summer
- Shallow bays during spring and fall
Use maps or fish finders to identify pike hotspots, especially areas with both cover and access to deeper water.
Best Pike Fishing Gear & Setup
Rod & Reel:
- Medium-heavy to heavy rod (6’6” to 7’6”)
- Spinning or baitcasting reel with strong drag
Fishing Line:
- 30–50 lb braided line (no stretch and great for hooksets)
- Steel leader or fluorocarbon leader (to prevent bite-offs)
Terminal Tackle:
- Snap swivels for easy lure swaps
- Large, sharp hooks for solid hookups
Top Lures and Baits for Catching Northern Pike
Pike love lures that mimic injured fish. Flashy, noisy, and erratic lures are ideal.
Best Lures for Pike:
- Spoons (e.g., Daredevle, Five of Diamonds)
- Spinnerbaits (Mepps, Booyah)
- Swimbaits and soft plastics
- Crankbaits and jerkbaits (Rapala X-Rap, Husky Jerk)
- Topwater lures (buzzbaits, frogs) in summer near weed cover
Live Bait for Pike:
We recommend using a bait bucket to keep the fish alive and swimming. Storing live bait can be challenging if you don’t control the temperature of the water or keeping it oxygenated. We recommend using Frabill’s Bait Bucket, which you can find HERE.
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- Large minnows, suckers, or chubs
- Rig on a quick-strike rig under a float or free-lined
Best Techniques for Pike Fishing
Cast & Retrieve: Use a steady retrieve with pauses and jerks
Trolling: Cover large areas of water with spoons or crankbaits
Jigging: Use soft plastics or spoons near structure or drop-offs
Figure-8 at Boat: If you see a follower, move your rod in a figure-8 motion at the end of the retrieve—pike often strike here!
How to CATCH Northern Pike Year-Round – Location
Spring: Shallow spawning bays, often near weeds
Summer: Move to deeper weed edges and drop-offs
Fall: Aggressive feeding—cover lots of water with fast retrieves
Winter (Ice Fishing): Use tip-ups with dead bait near structure
How to Handle Pike Safely
Because pike have razor-sharp teeth, handling them requires care:
- Use long pliers to remove hooks
- Use a jaw spreader if needed
- Never place fingers in the mouth
- Wet your hands or use a rubberized net to protect the slime coat
- For release, support the fish horizontally and revive it if necessary
For even more helpful tips, check out all of our fishing resources in one place.
💡Takeaways
- 📌Target Key Pike Habitat Across SeasonsWeed beds, drop-offs, creek mouths, and submerged structure are pike hotspots. In spring and fall, fish shallower; in summer and winter, move to deeper, cooler water.
- 📌Use Strong Gear with Steel LeadersNorthern pike have sharp teeth and strike hard. Use a medium-heavy rod, 30–50 lb braided line, and always rig with a steel or heavy fluorocarbon leader to prevent bite-offs.
- 📌Flashy, Noisy Lures Attract Aggressive StrikesSpoons, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and crankbaits that mimic wounded fish are top choices. Add pauses or jerks to trigger reaction bites.
- 📌Live Bait Works Wonders on Bigger PikeLarge minnows, suckers, and chubs are among the best bait for pike—especially when rigged on a quick-strike rig under a float or free-lined in open water.
- 📌Master Multiple Pike Fishing TechniquesUse cast-and-retrieve around structure, troll deeper channels with crankbaits, jig vertically near drop-offs, and perform figure-8s at the boat when you see followers.
- 📌Match Your Strategy to the SeasonIn spring, fish shallow bays; in summer, move deeper; in fall, use fast retrieves to cover water; and in winter, use dead bait on tip-ups near structure.
- 📌Don’t Skip the Figure-8 at the BoatPike often follow lures to the boat. At the end of your retrieve, make a wide figure-8 motion—this last-second trick can turn a curious follower into a strike.
- 📌Handle Pike Safely and RespectfullyUse long pliers and jaw spreaders for hook removal, wet hands or use a rubberized net to protect their slime coat, and always support them horizontally for release.
- 📌Use Snap Swivels for Easy Lure ChangesQuickly switch between spoons, spinners, or jerkbaits with snap swivels. This saves time and helps you adapt to changing conditions.
- 📌Fish Smart by Using Maps and SonarIdentify productive areas faster by using lake maps, depth charts, or fish finders to locate weed edges, drop-offs, and creek inlets where pike hunt.
FAQ
What is the best bait for pike?
The best bait for pike includes large live minnows, suckers, or chubs. These natural baits mimic the prey pike naturally hunt and are highly effective when used under a float or free-lined on a quick-strike rig.
What is the best way to catch pike?
The best way to catch pike is by casting flashy lures like spoons or spinnerbaits near weed beds, points, and drop-offs. Trolling crankbaits or using live bait rigs in deeper water also works well, especially in summer and winter.
How do you catch Northern Pike?
To catch Northern Pike, use strong gear (braided line and a steel leader), cast lures that mimic injured fish, and target areas with cover and access to deep water. Adjust your approach based on the season for best results.
What is the best food to catch pike?
Northern pike prefer fish like perch, shiners, and suckers. Using live bait that resembles these fish or lures that mimic wounded prey will increase your chances of getting a strike.
What time of day is best for pike?
Early morning and late evening are prime times to catch pike, especially in warmer months. During cooler weather or winter, mid-day when the sun warms the water slightly can also be productive.
What bait rig for pike?
The quick-strike rig is ideal for pike fishing with live bait. It allows for solid hooksets without deep hooking. You can also use wire leaders with treble hooks when using dead bait or large soft plastics.
