Northern Pike Fishing

If you are a beginning angler, or are introducing someone to the joys of fresh water fishing, you might be wondering what kind of fish would be the best to go after. One of the better answers is pike. Northern pike fishing is perfect for beginners because they are relatively easy to catch, they grow o a large size, and they often put up quite a fight, sometimes even jumping out of the water. What else could you ask for? So, what do you need to know to get started northern pike fishing?

WHERE TO FIND NORTHERN PIKE

Pike are very predictable. They prefer cold water and tend to stay as close to the surface as their preference for cold water will allow. What does this mean as far as finding some large pike on your fishing trip? Head out as soon as the lake has thawed enough to fish the shallower waters. Then, as the season progresses, fish is deeper and deeper water. This means that in the middle of summer you will be fishing the bottom of the lake. If you really want to impress that rookie angler then go when the pike are in shallower waters because it’s a little easier to pinpoint where the fish are.

When things start to cool down again, just move in the opposite direction. By the time the lake starts to freeze over, you should be right near the coast again.

HOW TO CATCH NORTHERN PIKE

Pike are famous for hitting just about anything you put on the end of your line, as long as you jiggle it. They tend to remain motionless for long periods of time waiting for a fish, frog, or whatever to come along, and then attack their prey with a stabbing motion. Motion is the key, the main thing that triggers the bite, so be sure to give your lure, spinner bait, or whatever you’ve chosen little jerks as you reel it in. But be ready, because pike hit fast and hit hard.

ANOTHER BENEFIT OF NORTHERN PIKE FISHING

Northern pike fishing isn’t only relatively easy and fun, but it can provide for a nice dinner as well. You may not want to attempt it with a smaller specimen, though, because the bones can be difficult to separate from the meat. It’s a little bit easier in the larger fish.

So if you are wondering whether northern pike fishing is something you’d like to try, consider the positives: Pike are pretty easy to find, easy to catch, and good to eat. As mentioned earlier, what else could you ask for?

Ontario Northern Pike Fishing

If you’re a true outdoors person, then you’re probably longing to escape your office cubical and travel past the American border to Canada to get in some satisfying pike fishing. Ontario northern pike fishing is some of the best in the world. Pike can be found in varying shapes and sizes, but you can be sure you’ll have a chance at catching some really beautiful pike in Ontario.

Five Mile Lake is an excellent source for pike in Ontario, because the fish have a great source of food in the abundant Walleye who live in these water. There are lots of islands, bays, and weeds that contribute to the type of environment the pike enjoys as his habitat. When you fish for pike in a prime spot for Ontario northern pike fishing, you have a good chance of catching a lot of high quality fish. Some of the fish you’ll catch will be massive, so make sure you bring a camera so you friends back home will believe your fish story. You’ll want your great catches from Ontario to become a legend, and these days it take digital proof to make people believe in your amazing skills as a pike fisherman.

But Five Mile Lake is just one of the many rich Ontario northern pike fishing locations you can visit. The high level of calcium content in the waters of Ontario greatly contribute to the proliferation of pike in their waters. You’d be hard-pressed to visit an Ontario lake without encountering a good amount of pike to hook. There are a great many fantastic accommodations to suit your personal style when fishing in Ontario. Many people like to stay in cabins, so they can have a rugged experience. This type of lodging allows you the luxury of stepping outside and heading straight to the waters to catch the pike’s that just waiting for you.

The reason the Pike need a high amount of calcium in their waters is because of their complex bone structures. They feed on smaller fish who absorb a large amount of this nutrient in their bodies. The abundance of dissolved calcium in the waters that makes its way into the pike’s diet comes from mineral deposits from the mountains.

Fishing For Northern Pike

In fresh water angling it is hard to find anything more fun or rewarding than fishing for northern pike, especially for the beginner. The fish are big and plentiful, they put up quite a fight when you hook them, and they will jump on just about any lure. What else could you ask for? (Advanced anglers looking for a real challenge might want to pick up a fly reel and try their luck at catching some rainbow trout)

Pike are ambush predators, lying in wait for extended periods of time, waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. They are aggressive hunters, and will try to eat just about anything of just about any size. Similar to frogs, motion is the key, so “jerking” your lure has proven to be very successful when fishing for northern pike.

Trolling (towing the lure behind the boat) is a popular way to fish in the summer, when larger pike move into deeper waters. Float tubes and fly fishing also work well. Basically, it is up to you!

One thing to be wary of when fishing for northern pike is the fact that they have lots of sharp teeth, so be careful when removing hooks. A suggestion would be to use hooks with smaller barbs, or even no barbs at all.

Another positive aspect to fishing for northern pike is the fact that they are quite tasty! Pike have a mild-tasting, white flesh that is used often in European cuisine. Pike are bony, though, so bigger is better. The bones are very hard to separate from the meat in the smaller fish.

So if you’re new to fishing, or are planning a fishing trip with a group of inexperienced, but eager anglers, then pack up some lures and go fishing for northern pike! If you time it right (keep in mind that the colder the water is, the closer to the surface the pike will hang out) then chances are you will not be disappointed!