Pike guide for the Ontario shore angler

[manitoubass2]

Pike do hunt at night time, especially in areas where natural baitfish and other fish become active. Right at dusk is a great time to fish pike, when they move into shallows in greater than normal numbers.

In water with walleye/perch they push shorelines and shallows, and the pike will follow in right after them.

During ice out when pike move into shallows flats and bays, or near the creeks fed rivers and lakes, they are not concerned with cover nearly as much as summer. certain baitfish like sucker minnows move into these same areas where the pike will be, so they will be feeding. Also, if its a muddy area like I experience, there also foraging on invertebrates. At this time, the pike can be aggressive for short peroids of time, then slow right down. When they slow down, slip bobbering big sucker minnows can be deadly. When they become active, spinnerbaits, texas rigged plastic creature baits, grubs etc will work very well. If your looking for the most active fish, it's a good time to "walk the dog" with big Rapalas etc, like the Subwalk.

It all depends on the area too though... It's really a matter of putting in your time, figuring out patterns and just gaining experience. The more time fishing, the better you'll get at finding, and hooking big pike.

Oh, and look for ambush points. Like weedlines, a big submerged rock, and eddie off a rock current break, things like that. Pike are big time ambush predetors