Where Are Mid Winter Pike?

Many mid-winter panfish and gamefish can be found in the lowest portion of the water column in relatively deep water. Yet, we should not ignore those fish that suspend well off the bottom in these same areas. Many times, these suspended fish are the most active, and therefore most catchable, members of the group.

Where do pike go mid winter?

Weeds and rock in combination with sand transitions in shallow water draw pike shallow during portions of the winter season. But when pike drop deep, as they often do during midwinter, rock-rubble drop-off edges and especially deep rock humps near shallow cover usually are where they hold. Pike suspend in some lakes.

What depth are pike in the winter?

2-15 feet
During this time both small and large pike gather in shallow bays with water depths of 2-15 feet (figure 1) and is many times the best opportunity of the year to catch a trophy pike (>20 lb.) on the fly. At the start of this period, focus your search in bays with darker bottoms since they tend to warm up faster.

Where is late winter pike?

Shallow bays are the number one place to start your search for late ice trophy pike. If the lake you are targeting has a shallow bay on the north end, start there. Northern bays will receive the most daylight from dawn until dusk, heating them up faster and promoting the most life.

How do you get pike in February?

Dead baiting
This makes the pike very lethargic and much less likely to chase a lure. Based on this I believe dead or live baiting is the best winter pike fishing bait for the winter months. I start my sessions with dead baits and on the day try to catch live baits with a simple floater rod and reel setup.

Do pike go shallow in winter?

Winter pike haunts
And it might work on larger lakes at last ice when the pike are migrating toward shallow bays, coves and rivermouths to spawn. But I consistently catch enormous toothy critters all winter long in 15 to 30 feet of water over and around hard rock structures, with nary a weed stalk in sight.

Where do pike like to hang out?

When pike fishing, focus on shallower, weedy areas like bays and flats. Outside weed lines, pad fields, and reed or wild rice beds are also liable to hold a number of pike throughout the summer.

Where do pike go in the fall?

In the fall, those baitfish that the pike were feeding on over deep water have moved shallow to spawn. They spawn on gravel or sand shallows that are close to deep water. If you want to catch big pike, you need to find where the baitfish are spawning. By the way, walleyes and muskies will be in the same areas.

Do pike bite in the winter?

Pike will remain active and feeding during the colder months of the year but have a harder time handling really cold weather conditions. Frosty nights, sudden temperature drops, or a prolonged period of a cold front are all unfavorable weather conditions for pike and should hence be avoided.

How do you catch northern pike in the winter?

Pike feed aggressively during the winter and you can catch genuine trophy fish with time and patience. To target northern pike specifically during the winter months the gear and the strategy look different than in open water seasons. Pike follow the bait schools during the winter into shallower waters.

What depth should I ice fish?

In my experience, I’ve found that most of the best ice-fishing action comes in water from 3-to-20 feet deep. I like to set up my traps so that they cover a variety of depths. Areas with rock piles, weed beds, or dramatic contours are all good spots.

What’s the best bait for pike?

Soft rayed fish that have lots of natural oil in the skin and flesh make the best dead baits for pike fishing. These natural oils leech into the water and help to attract pike that may be cruising in the area. Some of the best dead baits are smelt, alewives, small whitefish, chubs, and the always popular sucker.

What’s the best bait for pike fishing?

Sea fish baits are often the first choice of the pike angler. These baits are easy to get and you can buy them frozen from tackle shops or fresh from a fishmonger or supermarket. There’s a great variety of sea baits including mackerel, sprat, herring, sardine and smelt.

How do you catch pike in January?

5 Tips for Catching Pike and Pickerel this Winter

1. Work Ledges. Chainsiders will gravitate toward a sharp drop from 6 to 12 feet in a 15-yard stretch.
2. Fish Big Baits. Jumbo shiners and 4- to 6-inch perch or small sunfish get attention from the largest of water wolves.
3. Find Weeds.
4. Fish a Creek Mouth.
5. Live and Let Die.

Are pike active in cold water?

However, fishing for pike in cold water is not the easiest of challenges: Fish are much less active and mobile now than they are during the warmer months of the year, as their metabolism adapts to the lower water temperature and slows down.

Where can I find a big pike?

How to Find Giant Northern Pike Shallow weedy bays in lakes or river backwaters in rivers, slow-moving tributaries or side channels are the first places to begin scouting for monster pike. In the early morning, when the water temperature is in the low to mid 50s, pike hold in the shallowest areas of these spots.

Where do pike go in rivers?

In rivers, pikes usually stay out of the stream, hiding in water weeds and lily pads. A great place to start would be the turning points of a river or river mouths. When it’s warm, pikes move to deeper waters.

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.

Do pike bite in the fall?

First, you need to be on good “pike” water.Pike fishing is so good in fall because of the movements of baitfish, and these smaller fish are going through spawn in autumn. During summer, they’re out in the deeper water, often suspended and not relating to anything other than water temperatures.

How do you fish for northern pike in the fall?

The best presentation depends on the weed density. In thick weeds, I’d recommend a tandem spinnerbait or a jerkbait. In scattered weeds, go to a shallow-running crankbait. Those cold-water pockets that held big pike in summer may continue to attract fish well into fall and sometimes into winter.

Is October good for pike fishing?

Weather is also an important factor for pike. Their prey will shoal together in deeper waters in cold conditions, in search of a more constant temperature. October shouldn’t present too much difficulty. However, in November and December, anglers should be looking in waters that are at least six to fifteen feet deep.