Every pike fisherman has caught his share of northern from 4 to 10 pounds. 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.
What depth do you catch pike?
20 to 60 feet
Most midsummer pike relate to structure in depths of 20 to 60 feet; they’re deepwater creatures, but usually not as deep as most lake trout.
Do pike live in shallow or deep water?
Both Musky and Northern Pike will feed in shallow water or in deep water. Many people think pike only hang around in shallow water but nothing is farther from the truth. Northern Pike in lakes with Whitefish and Lake Trout will go deep to feed. On many lakes Northern Pike will go deep and stay deep in the fall.
How deep do northern pike go in the summer?
The flat-bodied baits like the Suick need to be fished with a downward chop-stop action. Pop your rod down, reel up some slack and pop it again. The Suick should dive down about 5 feet. Weighted lures will get deeper.
Are pike in deep water?
Deep water is where big northern pike spend most of their time throughout the year. At times, the shallow water bite can be very good for number and big fish, but most of the time, the better big fish bite will be deeper.
What’s a good trolling speed for northern pike?
Best trolling speeds
| Species | Trolling Speed Range | Best Trolling Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Chinook salmon | 1.5 to 3.5 mph | 2.5 mph |
| Northern pike | 2.0 to 4.0 mph | 2.4 mph |
| Muskie | 1.5 to 5 mph | 3.0 mph |
| Crappie | 0.5 to 1.2 mph | 0.7 mph |
What is a good speed for pike trolling?
When trolling, keep speeds to 1.5 mph or less. The biggest key to success during fall is getting location and depth right. Pike hold on steep-breaking points, ledges, and river channels.
How old is a 35 inch northern pike?
Fish Age-Size and Male/Female Ratio Chart
| Fish Age | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | 33″-84cm | 7.6lb |
| 14 | 34″-87cm | 10lb |
| 15 | 35″-88cm | 10.5lb |
| 16 | 36″-90cm | 11lb |
Where do pike like to hide?
They will stick to the back of bays where water warms up quickly with the morning sun and they have lots of weeds to hide in. The really large Northern Pike are more likely to hang around points leading into bays, narrows between islands or in river current especially later in the spring.
Where can I buy 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.
What eats pike in summer?
Northern Pike are at the top of the food chain in most lakes and they just about eat anything. Walleyes, Chubs, Perch, Bass, Shiners, Frogs, Snakes, Birds, Bugs and other Pike are all on there menu.
What temperature do pike like?
Pike stay shallow, following forage. Optimal metabolism temperature is around 66 degrees, and they’ll feed aggressively as the waters reach this temperature. You can downsize your fly offerings in early spring to mimic the smaller profile of young-of-year baitfish.
Can you catch pike in the summer?
It is true that pike do suffer when oxygen levels are low, which they often are in the heat of summer. In fisheries which suffer from low dissolved oxygen it is usually the pike that will show signs of distress first, even in some cases being the only fish to succumb.
Where do pike 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.
How far behind the boat should I troll?
Every boat is different and you should make your boat your own study. Proper distance for most boats will be anywhere from 20 feet to 150 feet behind your boat. Whether you have inboard diesel or outboard gas engines, your power dictates the distance you troll your baits and lures.
Do pike feed on the surface?
The warmer months see pike actively striking at prey fish on or just below the surface. When in a feeding frenzy they will have a go at virtually any artificial lure. Using surface lures is one of the most exciting methods for catching warm weather pike.
How can I reduce my troll speed?
- Shut Down Your Boat’s Engine(s) If your boat has multiple outboards, shutting down one or more engines will allow you to drop speed.
- Shifting Engines Out of Gear.
- Using Drift Socks and Trolling Bags.
- Benefits of an Auxiliary Outboard Engine.
- Using an Electric Motor.
- Outboard Engines with Troll Mode.
Where do pike go in the summer?
Once early-summer water temperatures in the shallows reach about 70 F, big pike seem to disappear. In effect, they head to deeper, cooler water, suspending above or inside summer thermoclines, lying across basins, or shifting toward areas where cool-water springs enter a lake.
How do you fish in deep waters?
The 7 Best Ways To Catch Deep Water Bass
- Carolina Rig. The most basic and easiest way to fish offshore is the venerable Carolina rig.
- Football Jig.
- Drop Shot.
- Deep Diving Crank.
- Flutter Spoon.
- Swimbait.
- Bucktails.
How big is a trophy pike?
The Minnesota DNR says that northern pike caught by fisherman range from 2 to 3 pounds, and anything over 20 pounds is considered by most to be a trophy.
What is the biggest pike ever caught?
The IGFA currently recognizes a 25 kg (55 lb) pike caught by Lothar Louis on Greffern Lake, Germany, on 16 October 1986, as the all-tackle world-record northern pike.
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