Northern Pike

Length:  45 - 100 cm. (18-39 in.)

Distribution/Habitat:
quiet, vegetated waters throughout Ontario

Similar fish:

• muskellunge 

Key identifying characteristics:

• light, yellowish spots on dark green background
• tips of tail fin more rounded than muskellunge

Pike are widely distributed in Ontario. Historically they have not been found in the Haliburton Highlands and the Kawartha Lakes of central Ontario. However, pike are expanding their range and can now be found in the northwestern corner of the Kawarthas.

In a lake environment pike prefer weedy bays, estuaries and shoals as spring and summer habitat. During cool autumn days pike are most likely to seek deeper water.

Pike are aggressive feeders through spring, summer and fall and continue to be caught through the ice during the winter months. Pike will take just about every kind of live and artificial bait, including very large streamer flies. For trolling or casting try:

• spoons
• bucktail spinners
• crankbaits
• topwater lures
• spinnerbaits
• buzzbaits.

Live baits include large chubs and shiners.