Northern pike--often referred to simply as "pike" or "northern"--are the top predator in many Alaskan lakes. In a state known for its salmon, trout and grayling, pike do not always receive the attention they deserve. But these fish are incredibly tough fighters that can weigh in excess of 30 pounds, enough to test even the most experienced and physically fit angler. Pike are also nutritious and quite tasty; their meat is white, flaky and sweet and makes a great meal.
Identification
Pike are elongated and torpedo-shaped, with duck-bill mouths lined with needle-sharp teeth. The body color is green or olive with white or pale yellow markings, and the fins usually have an orange or reddish hue. The Alaska pike record weighed 38 pounds and has stood since 1991, but five- to 10-pound fish are far more common.
Habitat and Range
Pike prefer cool water, which makes them perfectly suited to the Alaskan environment. Look for them in still or slow-moving murky water with an abundance of aquatic vegetation. The pike's natural range extends from the Brooks Range in the north to the Yukon and Tanana River Drainage in the south. Pike inhabit hundreds of lakes in this region, many of which are accessible only by fly in. Pike have been illegally introduced to areas of south-central Alaska, but there are no major pike populations south and east of the Alaska Mountain Range. Illegally stocking pike can be devastating to native fish populations and also carries a hefty fine.
Timing
Head to Alaska during the warmer months for the best pike fishing; these fish start spawning in weedy bays and backwaters as soon as the ice recedes, and peak fishing is from May to September. Ice fishermen also catch pike, but the punishing Alaska winters can make fishing a challenge, especially if you are not accustomed to the climate.
Tackle and Tactics
Pike are fish eaters by nature--though they will also attack the occasional frog or unlucky muskrat--and fish-imitating lures are highly effective. Spoons, spinners, topwaters and crankbaits are good choices. Use lures in the three- to six-inch range, or up size to seven to nine inches to select the biggest pike. Fly fishermen have success with bucktail streamers. Strong rods and reels with 20-pound lines are recommended, and steel leaders are an absolute necessity; pike teeth can cut standard monofilament before you realize you had a bite.
Limits
Alaska fishing regulations vary by region. In areas where pike are native, including western, central, interior and northern parts of Alaska, you may keep 10 pike daily, with no size restrictions. One notable exception is the Tanana River Drainage, in which the daily limit is five, only one of which may be greater than 30 inches. In areas of southern and southeastern Alaska, where pike are considered an invasive species, there are no limits in place.
Licenses
You must have a current, valid Alaska fishing license to fish for pike anywhere in the state. Licenses are available at bait shops and other retailers all over Alaska, and can also be ordered via the Internet on the Alaska Department of Fish & Game website.
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