NORTHERN PIKE
One of the most exciting and hardest fighting of all fish, the Northern Pike can be found almost anywhere on Lake of the Woods. With a look to match their demeanor, Northerns will hit just about anything you throw at them. Average Northern Pike are in the 6-8 pound range with the biggest fish reaching lengths over 40 inches and weighing more than 30 pounds. Big pike are often found along the rocks near a steep drop off or along the edges of weed lines waiting for an unsuspecting bait fish to swim by.Big Northern Pike will hammer Muskie baits as well as large spoons so bring along sometackle if a trophy fish is what you’re after. Don’t be afraid of trolling too fast for these monsters.
TACKLE
Northerns can be caught by jiggling in the spring. When casting use Rapalas, Crank Baits or Mepps.
LOCATION
SPRING
Cast the shorelines in bays almost anywhere.
SUMMER
Small Northerns are found in the weed beds and along the shoreline. The bigger ones are on the bottom in front of the weed beds. A bait will have to be dragged right across their noses. Look for breaks in the weed lines, these may not be obvious, as it could be as deep as 15 feet. Parallel troll weed lines with one person casting toward the weeds and the other casting out from the weeds.
FALL
The Northerns go deeper. The big Northerns come up to the shoreline into the weeds for about 2 weeks sometime in late September then go down to 30 feet and deeper.
