Yes, you can fish for pike year-round in many places, but it's generally best in the cooler months (autumn to early spring) when they're most active and water temperatures don't stress them as much; summer fishing is possible in deep, cooler waters but risky in shallow areas due to high temperatures and low oxygen, which harms pike recovery. The traditional pike season in the UK runs from October 1st to March 14th, coinciding with the coarse fishing close season, but many anglers fish all year, with a strong emphasis on fish welfare during warmer months.
There are of course lots of casual pike anglers who target the species at all times of the year. The current popularity of lure fishing has also meant pike see an anglers bait throughout the year.
In summer it is best for the fish if you fish in reservoirs or deep water because pike struggle to recover from being caught when the water temperature is high, as oxygen levels are low. For instance, canal fishing for pike in summer in a city is not ideal for catch and release pike fishing.
When does the fishing season in the UK start? Most stillwaters and canals are open year-round, but rivers have a closed season from 15 March to 15 June to protect spawning fish. Sea fishing is generally open all year, though some species are seasonal.
On rivers, the traditional close season for coarse fishing runs from 15 March through to 15 June. This applies to all rivers, including the ones where we control the fishing rights.
Reservoirs, lakes and ponds ('enclosed stillwaters') and canals. You can fish for coarse fish, eels, rainbow trout and brown trout on most enclosed stillwaters and canals all year. Read the local byelaws to check your area.
A 20lb pike is typically a mature, older fish, often around 10 years or more, with some reaching that size in as little as a decade in good conditions, while in colder climates, it might take longer, potentially 13-14 years or more, as growth slows significantly, with larger specimens potentially living 15-25 years but few reaching extreme old age.
In the Winter Pike can be found in the deeper holes as well as in the shallows around tree trunks, under moored boats and in dense weed-lines, much the same as the rest of the year.
A 10 lb Northern Pike is typically around 12 to 14 years old, though this can vary significantly with food availability and location, with some fast-growing fish reaching that size in 8 years, while others in tougher waters might be older. Factors like abundant food and ideal habitat speed up growth, making them bigger sooner.
Pike haunt the shallow bays and weed beds of northern lakes throughout the year. Big pike, however, will move to deeper water during long, hot summer days. Many pike fishermen believe pike quit hitting once the water temperature has reached 65 degrees.
Northern Pike are an excellent food fish. They have white, flaky meat. While they're considered “bony” you can get five nice fillets off a 24+ inch long pike.
Early spring and winter months tend to be prime months for pike fishing, as the water temperatures are cooler. Pike are more active and aggressive in their feeding behaviour. It is worth noting that the best month for pike fishing can depend on the specific location and environmental factors.
Adult northern pike have a fondness for perch and suckers in the 4- to 15-inch range. Baits that mimic these species are good choices. Northern pike often stalk their prey from below, which means jerk bait lures that mimic an injured or dying fish can be a good choice too.
It's a myth, well, I think it is, that pike are a winter species, to be caught after October 1st. Allegedly, until then, they are out of condition, thus it's considered, by some, to be unsporting to fish for pike during the summer months.
The best eating size fish: walleye 15 – 18 inches, perch 9 – 12 inches and northern pike 22 – 28 inches, we encourage our guests to enjoy eating while they are here when the fish are at their very best freshness and taste.
Pike spawn early in the spring, when water temperatures reach 9°. Several smaller males (males rarely grow larger than 10lbs) court the larger female and the whole process of mating can last several days. Individuals can sometimes live up to 25 years or more.
On the underside of the Muskies and Pike is a visible pinkish-red urogenital opening (a.k.a. “vent”) near the anal fin. Male fish have a “key-hole” shaped vent while females have a “pear” shaped vent. Female Esox have larger vents than males to help release BB-sized eggs during spawning.
For winter fishing, focus on cold-tolerant species like Pike, Perch, Chub, and Grayling, which remain active and feed when metabolism slows, with rivers often better than frozen lakes for active species like chub and grayling, while pike dominate stillwaters; also consider Walleye, Crappie, and Trout in North America, using slower presentations and smaller baits.
Summary. The 80-20 principle tells us that - as a generalization - 80% of our results are achieved from just 20% of our practice. If we can identify those 20% activities - and do more of them - then our practice will become much more effective. That is the starting point of 80-20 bass.
If the cold snap has just started then the fish will be harder to catch, After a few days of low water temperatures you will find chub, roach, dace and even barbel will pick up a bait, it's often a good time to catch of chub, when other fish don't seem to feed.
