What is the best bait for northern pike?
The best live bait for northern pike are baitfish like ciscos, suckers, alewives, and shad along with yellow perch and bluegill. Northern pike a whole range of food items but artificial lures actually work better and offer more benefits for pike fishermen than live bait, in my opinion.
What is the best time of day to fish for northern pike?
Northern pike are most active during the day when their sense of sight allows them to ambush prey. The peaks for pike feeding are early morning and late evening when the water is coolest. Pike need to sleep just like any fish but they can be quite active feeding prior to bedtime.
Do pike like shallow or deep water?
Most of these fish are caught in shallow water. Big pike, however, go deep. Many times they are in water 15 feet deep or deeper. At these times, a big deep running lure is needed.
Where can you find pike in a lake?
Fish in shallow water with aquatic vegetation when the water is colder. Pike’s elongated bodies make them the perfect predators in high grass and shallow waters. Look for pike in areas like bays and flats during the fall and the early spring. Pike are commonly found in high weeds, lily pad fields, or wild rice beds.
Where do big pike hang out?
Northern Pike are at home around any type of aquatic vegetation. Their elongated body shape and large, toothy mouths make them extremely effective at chasing down and catching all types of prey fish in weedy confines. When pike fishing, focus on shallower, weedy areas like bays and flats.
When should you strike pike fishing?
In November, when there’s still plenty weed growth, pike congregate in weedy areas, that are three to six feet deep, as the water is warmer. These places also provide camouflage, enabling pike to ambush prey fish. Once December hits, and the first frosts bite, target water of at least six to 15 feet.
Where can I catch pike?
Why can’t I catch pike?
If you can’t find pike in the shallows or in deep water, they may be congregating near the inlet or outlet of the body of water that you’re fishing. Find the areas where water flows in or out of your body of water and look for congregating pike.
What kind of lures do pike like?
Pike absolutely love spinners of all kinds but the Mepps #5 or the big Blue Fox in silver, silver and blue, or gold work best. These produce well in any situation and work well in quickly casting and working an area. For pike, the smaller size- #5- definitely works better than the larger musky bucktails.
When should I strike pike?
What bait do you use to catch a northern pike?
Ciscos. These schooling baitfish are pretty common in northern reservoirs,rivers,and lakes.
Is northern pike a good fish to eat?
Often considered to be a sporting fish because of the size and fight of the Northern Pike, this fish is also a good eating fish when fileted properly.
When is the prime time to catch big northern pike?
During spring and fall, fishing between late morning and early afternoon will be the best time to catch pike. Very early mornings and evenings are your best picks during the summer. In winter, the hours between the later mornings and middays are usually the best to catch northern pike.
What is the best bait for Pike?
Smelt – According to most pike fishers smelt is by far the best bait for fishing pike. Smelt are a very small fish (similar to a minnow). It’s not uncommon to see people freeze smelt before using them, but it is simply not needed.