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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Northern Pike in Kansas are a rare introduced species that was stocked in the late 1960s as a means of controlling panfish populations. However, few Kansas waters provide suitable habitat for these freshwater predators.

Physical Characteristics:
  • These aggressive ambush predators are built like freshwater torpedoes, featuring olive to brown coloration with light yellow to white bellies, distinctive light-colored horizontal spots, and razor-sharp teeth that can cut through fishing line.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Pike prefer clear, weedy water environments.
  • Few Kansas waters provide suitable habitat for these freshwater predators.

Key Locations

  • Kingman State Fishing Lake, which is the only water body in Kansas currently showing a viable pike population according to state surveys.
  • In Kansas, focus efforts on Kingman State Fishing Lake, which maintains the state's primary pike population.

Specific Spots

  • In spring, target shallow, dark-bottomed bays and vegetated areas.
  • Summer fishing requires targeting deeper, cooler water as pike move away from warming shallows.
  • Fall: both shallow and deep water near rocks and vegetation.

Northern Pike FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Northern Pike in Kansas?

Productive lures include spoons (especially effective for speed trolling), inline spinners, spinnerbaits, large swimbaits, jerkbaits, and bucktail jigs. For winter ice fishing: live or dead bait like suckers, shiners, or smelt.

What flies work for Northern Pike in Kansas?

Effective patterns include streamers 5-7 inches long with flash and action-inducing tails, simple bucktail patterns, and baitfish imitations.

When is the best time to fish for Northern Pike in Kansas?

The best seasons for pike fishing in Kansas are spring and fall when water temperatures are in the optimal 55°F to 65°F range, with late fall and winter also producing trophy opportunities. Early spring after spawning (post-spawn period around 50-55°F) triggers aggressive feeding binges.

How do you catch Northern Pike in Kansas?

In spring, target shallow, dark-bottomed bays and vegetated areas using slower presentations like jerkbaits and soft plastic paddletails. Summer fishing requires targeting deeper, cooler water as pike move away from warming shallows - use faster presentations with spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits.

What do Northern Pike eat?

Pike are voracious feeders that consume fish species like yellow perch, bass, bluegill, and even other pike, along with frogs, crayfish, small birds, snakes, and small mammals - essentially anything up to a third of their body length.

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