Northern Pike Ice Fishing Tips

Be Properly Rigged

Northern pike sport an abundance of sharp teeth that can easily cut through fishing line. As a result, tie a wire leader to your fishing line, and attach your lure or bait to the wire leader. Pike are aggressive feeders and do not seem put off by the leader. Plan on using a heavy-action spinning or baitcasting rod. As for lures, spoons are among the best for ice fishing northern pike. Spoons flash and flutter as they are worked through the water column and are good at attracting pike. Some anglers like to put a chunk of minnow on their spoon to add a little meat to the presentation. If the fish are not biting, try a sucker minnow fished on a plain hook.

Locations

Keep in mind that pike likely will spend most of the winter cruising around, looking for food. Pike are carnivores and often feed on other fish species. As a result, if there is an abundance of sunfish, for example, in a particular area, you can bet there are pike on the edges of the area, waiting for an opportunity to eat. But you can increase the odds of catching them by looking for some specific spots. Weeds are one of the best spots to ice fish for northern pike, though make sure the weeds are not so thick that pike will not be able to see your lure. Various structures can hold winter pike, too, including drop-offs, the edges of reefs and humps, and points.

Spawning Bays

In the months and weeks before the ice goes out, pike begin to move toward their spawning grounds. The fish oftentimes begin spawning before the ice goes out. Pike spawn in shallow, bog-like areas with muddy bottoms. A primary tip-off that you are in this kind of area is the presence of cattails. While the bay itself may not provide hot action---though it can---look for vegetation, points or drop-offs near the bay. Pike often will hold in such areas and feed before they move into the shallows to spawn. Since this type of fishing is most productive in the later winter months, take extra precautions to ensure the ice is thick enough to support you.

Presentations

Jigging is the most popular and one of the most effective ways of targeting pike under the ice. Jigs and minnows or plastics can be effective, as can spoons with a chunk of minnow on them. The key is to keep the lure moving so that you are imitating a wounded or dying fish. Keep your lure off the bottom, too, since pike often cruise somewhere in the middle of the water column. Start by fishing your lure 1 to 4 feet below the ice.

Stay on the Move

If you have been fishing in one spot for more than an hour without a bite, it is time to move to a new spot. While pike are moving around this time of year, that does not mean they will come right to you. As a result, it is better for you to go to them. Continue to drill holes and try new spots until you find pike that are willing to bite.