Northern Pike Fishing in Ontario
DESCRIPTION: These ferocious fish average from 25 inches to 36 inches in length, with many being caught at 40+ inches. Locally known as a “jackfish”, this species is somewhat torpedo shaped and green in colour with white spots along its sides. As a distinct predator, its large eyes sit high on its broad head, and has a large mouth with many razor sharp teeth. This fish has a row of tiny pores under its lower jaw which usually amounts to 5 on each side, never exceeding 11. This is the most definite key characteristic to use in differentiating between a Northern Pike and a Muskie.
Pike like to sun themselves and hang out in relatively shallow water. As weed beds get thicker, it is very impor-tant to be able to keep your bait from get-ting tangled in weeds ~ this is one of the key points in ensuring that your bait of choice is not too heavy to keep just below the surface but above these weeds. These fish are very aggressive and will chase a fast moving bait.
As the summer progresses, the weed beds get thicker and thicker.
DISTRIBUTION: Northern Pike are found on all 9 lakes that we fish, but greater numbers exist on Lac Seul, Abram, Pelican, and Minnitaki Lakes. They spawn in early spring when water temperatures are 40° F to 52° F, usually immediately after ice-out. As the weed beds grow in shallow bays, the Northern Pike settle into them where they find cover and abundant prey. They are also caught in deep waters (often while jigging for Walleyes) and on sand bars where they like to sun themselves. Fall initiates these fish to move from the weed beds to rocky points and deeper waters where they forage heavily for the coming winter months.
ANGLING METHOD: Being well known for its voracious appetite, this fish will go after anything! The most productive method of fishing for this species is to cast for them using various types of spoons. A description of the most common baits can be found on this page. In early spring and late fall, trolling crankbaits is also very productive in luring these fish onto your line.
TROPHY NORTHERN PIKE FISHING: Lac Seul, Minnitaki, Abram and Pelican Lakes all produce trophy Northern Pike fishing in Ontario. Most of our trophy Northern Pike do come from Lac Seul due to the fact that Lac Seul is a larger body of water and we fish it more extensively than some of the other lakes because of the tremendous trophy Walleye fishing opportunities. All 9 lakes we fish have very good Northern Pike populations. Like our Lac Seul Walleye fishing, many of our trophy Northern Pike are caught by guests staying in our Lac Seul Fly-In Outposts.
| Hardware | Suggestions |
|---|---|
| ROD |
|
| REEL |
|
| LINE |
|
| TACKLE |
|
| Key with this species: |
|