Species guide
How to catch Northern pike
Esox lucius
The Northern pike is a solitary, territorial predator with an elongated body, known for inhabiting clear vegetated waters. It primarily feeds on fish but also consumes frogs and crayfish. This species is prized by anglers across many northern freshwater and brackish systems.
Where they live
Found in clear, vegetated lakes, quiet pools, and backwaters of rivers up to 30 meters deep across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. It can tolerate brackish water, particularly in Baltic regions.
Typical size
Up to about 137 cm
What they eat
- fish
- frogs
- crayfish
Best baits
- live fish
- frog imitations
- crayfish bait
Best lures
- spoons
- spinnerbaits
- soft plastic swimbaits
- topwater lures
How to fish for them
- casting
- trolling
- live bait fishing
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