But there’s more to this predator than meets the eye. From awe-inspiring hunting strategies and remarkable adaptive abilities to ancient fossils, this article unveils 30 fascinating and little-known pike facts that will leave you in awe!
As the pike is one of my absolute favorite target species, I wanted to find out what it’s called in other countries around the world.
While northern pike have an average length of about 17 to 25 inches and an average weight of 2 to 5 pounds, they can reach lengths of more than 50 inches and weights of 55 to 60lb. European pike are generally somewhat bigger than pike found in North America.
Depending on its range, northern pike typically spawn sometime between March and May, when water temperatures are between 40 and 45F. They can spawn both in open water and under the ice and prefer shallow areas rich in vegetation.
Pike fishing is a lot of fun, and catching one of those huge predators is as thrilling as it can get. To land your trophy pike successfully, you will need both a robust and a big enough landing net.
Favorable weather conditions for pike include a low-pressure system with moderate temperatures, overcast skies, and southern or southwestern winds. Rain does however have a somewhat more negative effect on the pike’s appetite and should hence be avoided.