Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Northern Pike are aggressive predatory fish known for their elongated body, sharp teeth, and explosive strikes. They are popular among anglers for their fighting ability and distinctive appearance.
Northern Pike at a glance
- Scientific name
- Esox lucius
- Typical size
- 24-40 inches, 3-15 lbs
- IGFA world record
- 55 lbs 1 oz
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Uncommon
Habitat
Northern Pike inhabit weedy lakes, slow-moving rivers, and backwater areas throughout northern regions. Anglers typically target them near vegetation, drop-offs, and structure using large spoons, spinnerbaits, and live bait. They are ambush predators that often strike from cover.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a northern pike through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksWhat to throw for northern pike
The lure classes that produce for northern pike, drawn from the same species map Cobia reasons about. Each one opens a full page on what it is, when it works and how to fish it.
Which one, in which color and which weight, depends on the water in front of you today. That part is the app.
Northern Pike questions people ask
Northern Pike is Esox lucius.
A typical northern pike runs 24-40 inches, 3-15 lbs. The IGFA all tackle world record stands at 55 lbs 1 oz. Cobia records the length and weight of every northern pike you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Northern Pike inhabit weedy lakes, slow-moving rivers, and backwater areas throughout northern regions. Anglers typically target them near vegetation, drop-offs, and structure using large spoons, spinnerbaits, and live bait. They are ambush predators that often strike from cover. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
The IGFA all tackle world record northern pike weighed 55 lbs 1 oz.
Spoons, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, bucktails and hair jigs and hard swimbaits and glide baits all produce. Which one, in which color and which weight, depends on the season, the water temperature and the tide on the day, which is the part Cobia works out against the lures you already own.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.