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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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Find waters where Northern Pike is biting now

All regions · Read the guide: how to catch Northern Pike · Browse all fish species

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.