Northern Pike Myths
This week we're going to talk about a species I've neglected to write much about so far on this blog, despite the fact that it's a fish I find particularly fascinating. It's a fish that has been in my dreams ever since I saw an absolute monster swimming in the cold, clear waters of a Temiskaming lake. It's a fish that is a supreme predator; it will stalk or ambush any prey it sees fit. I'm talking, of course, about the northern pike.
Let's talk first about some of the things we all know about pike. Like bass, pike are primarily visual predators. Because they rely on their sight to feed, they are most active during the day, primarily at dusk and dawn, and are least active at night (1). Pike, especially the larger ones, prefer water temperatures around 65°. Generally speaking, fish tend to become less active as water temperatures go outside of a preferred range. This leads some people to believe that pike are less active in the winter months.
But some research at least partially discounts this theory. Scientists studying pike activity in a frozen lake found that "daily moved distance [remains] at a relatively constant level" throughout the year and that pike are active in all periods (1). However, this doesn't necessarily contradict the popular belief that a slower lure and bait presentation is needed to catch them in colder water. They may move an equal amount of distance in any given day regardless of water temperature, but they can't cover the distance as quickly in cold water. So while decreasing water temperature does not render pike immobile, it does affect "the fish's maximum swimming speed" (1). Of course, slowing down your presentation isn't a problem if you're ice fishing, but in the early spring or late fall, make sure to temper your retrieve or troll speed.
Another common myth is that pike are mainly ambush predators. This means that pike hold to some kind of structure- like an isolated patch of weeds- sitting and waiting to attack any unsuspecting prey that swims by. While this is true, studies have "revealed that pike also utilise active hunting strategies and regularly perform active movements" (1). So when you're working an area, make sure to fan cast- don't just focus on the spots that look the most promising.
And remember, knowledge is important, but it's no substitute for experience.
(1) Henrik Baktoft, Kim Aarestrup et al. "Seasonal and diel effects on the activity of northern pike studied by high-resolution positional telemetry" (2012) 21:3 Ecology of Freshwater Fish 386.
Let's talk first about some of the things we all know about pike. Like bass, pike are primarily visual predators. Because they rely on their sight to feed, they are most active during the day, primarily at dusk and dawn, and are least active at night (1). Pike, especially the larger ones, prefer water temperatures around 65°. Generally speaking, fish tend to become less active as water temperatures go outside of a preferred range. This leads some people to believe that pike are less active in the winter months.
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| Photo by Nicholas Kalimin |
Another common myth is that pike are mainly ambush predators. This means that pike hold to some kind of structure- like an isolated patch of weeds- sitting and waiting to attack any unsuspecting prey that swims by. While this is true, studies have "revealed that pike also utilise active hunting strategies and regularly perform active movements" (1). So when you're working an area, make sure to fan cast- don't just focus on the spots that look the most promising.
And remember, knowledge is important, but it's no substitute for experience.
(1) Henrik Baktoft, Kim Aarestrup et al. "Seasonal and diel effects on the activity of northern pike studied by high-resolution positional telemetry" (2012) 21:3 Ecology of Freshwater Fish 386.
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