Northern pike are game fish that live in large lakes, reservoirs and rivers in all but the most southern regions of the United States. Fisherman prize these large, predatory fish for their hard-hitting and strong fighting action. Northern pike can grow to more than 5 feet long; they are voracious, and it takes large baits and substantial gear to catch them.
Patience
Northern pike are notorious for playing with live bait, and they often grab and release the bait several times before they strike hard. When you first get a strike, do not react immediately. If you are using a bobber, wait for your bobber to submerge for at least a minute before setting the hook.
Bait
Big fish like big baits, and northern pike will go after baits that are more than one-quarter of their own body length. Popular lures for catching northern pike include large spinner baits, bucktails, spoons, jigs, crankbaits, stickbaits, soft plastics and other artificial lures. In fact, pike will hit just about any type of lure, if presented properly. Also, try fishing a natural bait, such as a big creek chub, sucker minnow, shiner or other large bait fish, under a float.
Wire Leader
A wire leader on your fishing rig is essential. Northern pike have tough and strong jaws and sharp teeth that will cut monofilament or braided line. A 12- to 16-inch steel leader will help prevent a northern pike from biting its way free.
Rigging
A traditional muskie rig works well for northern pike. This rig consists of two 12-inch steel leaders, each with a treble hook clipped on one end. Then clip the first leader onto the end of the second leader next to the treble hook. Use a large creek chub as bait. Hook the upper hook through base of the tail of the chub and the lower hook through the chub's lip. This will allow the chub to swim freely, drawing more attention from surrounding pike.
Location
Northern pike are ambush predators, waiting patiently for prey to happen by. Look for northern pike in narrow sections of lakes, around points and near heavy structures, such as submerged logs or rock piles. Northern pike also lie in wait near the mouth of tributaries or rivers that wash bait fish out into lake or reservoirs. Smaller pike populate shallow flats and weed beds along the edges of bays and inlets in lakes.
Gear
A good all-purpose setup for northern pike includes a 6- to 7-foot medium-heavy bait casting rod and reel combo, loaded with 12- to 20-pound test fishing line. Because northern pike prefer clearer waters and have good vision, fluorocarbon makes a good choice for leader material to attach your steel leader to your main line. Low-stretch braided line helps you to read finicky pike behavior and improves hook-setting ability.
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