Northern Pike fishing

Esox lucius

About Northern Pike

Sweden's classic predator. A hardy ambush hunter that holds in weed and along edges and strikes explosively. Look for it along reed lines, weed edges and the first drop into deeper water, where it can sit still and let food come past. Spring after spawning and the cooling weeks of autumn give the most reliable fishing. A wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader is not optional, the teeth cut through plain line.

Typical size: Usually 50-90 cm, trophies over 100 cm. Record (approx.): ≈ 19 kg.

Season, time and habitat

Best season

Apr-May, Sep-Oct

Best time

Dawn, dusk

Habitat

Lake, River

Season by month

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Darker cell = more active that month. Based on the species' usual yearly rhythm.

Lures and baits that work

Spoon Cast out and retrieve at a steady pace so the spoon flashes and wobbles. Vary the speed and let it flutter down between turns. Check price on Amazon

Crankbait Retrieve so the plug dives and wobbles. Add pauses and twitches to trigger strikes, or troll it behind the boat. Check price on Amazon

Soft-plastic jig Let the jig sink to the bottom and work it with small lifts and pauses. Stay in contact with the line; takes usually come on the drop. Check price on Amazon

Deadbait Set a whole or half baitfish on the bottom or under a float. Deadly for pike in winter and for burbot and eel at night. Check price on Amazon

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Waters where Northern Pike bites

Mörrumsån - Mörrum Blekinge Vänern - Spiken Västra Götaland Mälaren - Björkfjärden Stockholm Bolmen - Bolmsö Kronoberg Storsjön - Östersund Jämtland Emån - Mönsterås Kalmar Klarälven - Karlstad Värmland Dalälven - Älvkarleby Uppsala

Open a water for live weather, water temperature and today's odds.

Guides about Northern Pike

Find waters where Northern Pike is biting now

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Common questions

When is the best time to catch Northern Pike?

Northern Pike fishing is usually best around Apr-May, Sep-Oct. The best windows in the day are usually dawn, dusk.

What lures and baits work for Northern Pike?

Effective methods for Northern Pike include Spoon, Crankbait, Soft-plastic jig and Deadbait.

Where can you catch Northern Pike?

Northern Pike is most often found in lake, river. Napp shows the nearest waters and the live odds on the bite right now.