Pike
Esox lucius
The classic freshwater predator: long, toothy, and found almost everywhere.
Also known as: Estonian haug, Finnish hauki, Norwegian gjedde, Swedish gädda.
- Typical size
- 40 to 75 cm
- A big one
- A metre or more, over 10 kg for a true specimen
- Where it lives
- Weedy lake margins, slow rivers, and brackish coastal bays
- Best time
- Cold water in spring and autumn, plus the first ice
- Common methods
- Spoons, jerkbaits, large soft lures, and dead bait on the bottom
About the pike
Pike are ambush hunters that sit tight to weed beds, drop-offs and any cover, then strike in a short explosive burst. They grow fast, live long, and turn up in almost every kind of water, which is exactly why they are the fish most anglers catch first and remember longest.
Catching pike
Fish the edges of weed and reeds, and slow down as the water cools. A steel or heavy fluorocarbon trace is not optional, their teeth will cut straight through mono. Handle them with unhooking gloves and a big net, keep them in the water, and support the body when you lift for a photo.
Before you fish: closed seasons, minimum sizes and catch limits differ by country and by water, and they change. Always check the current local rules and buy any licence you need before you go.
Log your pike in FishandBeer
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