Not the most welcome arrival in Maine, the Pike is gaining in popularity because of it's size and ferocity! They have the capability of growing very large and are a potential threat to some other less aggressive species. During the spring and fall the bigger northerns will come into the shallows to feed. They can be found from the surface down to about 15 or so feet. Northerns spawn shortly after ice out and are virtually uncatchable at this time. After the spawn is when you want to fish them. They go into a feeding frenzy and become very aggressive. Pike fishing is best done during daylight hours, rarely being caught at night if at all. Many fisherman say pike will bite best right before dark and then it's "wait til mornin"! Big white spinners, bucktails, crankbaits, and spoons with bright colors are great for pike. Since northerns have bony mouths I recommend leaders and SHARP hooks.

Open Water

Lakes or ponds with shallow weedy bays and connecting marshes are ideal for pike.They live in virtually every type of water, which includes warm shallow ponds, deep cold lakes, and muddy, weed filled rivers and their tributaries. First thing you need to know about Pike are the teeth! They are plentiful and cut line like a new Buck knife. Steel leaders, preferably black, are a must for Pike. They are fierce predators and you can use this against them. They generally prefer to go after one big bait, rather than hitting a school of shiners. Use big plugs around the weeds, make some splash and play it like a wounded baitfish. Anything meal sized is a potential bait. Big shiners or smelts are great live baits. They are constant feeders and will eat anything from shiners to baby ducklings. The bigger they get the colder the water they like. Looking for the big ones then you have to get to the 50 to 55 degree waters. Smaller pike will be in 5 to 10 degree warmer water. In hot weather, big Pike are always going to be near the deep water. They may sit in the shallows near deep water, but they will always be near it. When it is hot out, use a fast retrieve. Big pike love erratic motions. Darting, weaving, lures like the # 12 Husky Jerk from Rapala, or a big walking stick, are excellent choices. In colder weather, the reverse is true. Slow down the retrieve and pause now and then to let them zero in on the lure. Strikes often come on the pause!

Ice Fishing

Bait your tip up with a big fat smelt and fish at varying depth til you find the level they are sitting at. Short, slow, jigging strokes with some longer pauses seems to be the accepted method of working a lure when ice fishing. Winter fish usually strike the lure when it is stopped or at rest and the bite is often extremely subtle, so be ready to set the hook. Try letting the spoon hit bottom, and bounce it around down there,sometimes this will draw attention to the lure or your cut bait. This helps attract fish, even from a distance.