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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Northern Pike in Maryland are elongated predatory fish that are voracious carnivores and ambush predators.

They're capable of growing over three feet long and weighing more than twenty pounds, with Maryland's state record being a 46-inch, 24-pound 12-ounce pike caught in Deep Creek Lake in 1999.

Scientific Name: Esox lucius

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinctive bluish-green to gray dorsal regions and irregular rows of yellow or gold bean-shaped spots on their sides.
  • They feature fully scaled cheeks, five sensory pores on each side of the lower jaw, and duck-bill shaped mouths lined with sharp canine teeth.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Northern Pike populations are found in Deep Creek Lake, the Youghiogheny Reservoir, and Loch Raven Reservoir in Maryland.

Key Locations

  • Deep Creek Lake, Youghiogheny Reservoir, and Loch Raven Reservoir.

Specific Spots

  • Prefer clear, shallow, vegetated areas of lakes and larger rivers, rarely found in areas lacking stumps, aquatic vegetation, or other cover.
  • Focus on vegetated areas, weedbeds, stumps, and other cover structures.
  • Fish along the edges of weedbeds and in shallow coves.

Northern Pike FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Large spoons or minnow-type lures, large live golden shiners or suckers fished beneath a large bobber.

What flies work for Northern Pike in Maryland?

Top fly patterns include Chip's Northern Magic, Chip's Monster Magic, Barry's Baitfish 2.0, Poor Man's Whistler, Pike Bunny, Lefty's Deceiver, and Half and Half patterns.

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

Best times are during spring after ice-out and fall feeding periods. Avoid fishing during spawning periods in early spring when water temperatures reach 35°F, as pike are spawning in shallow areas. Pike are open to fishing year-round outside of spawning periods.

How do you catch Northern Pike in Maryland?

Target them using large spoons or minnow-type lures fished along the edges of weedbeds. A popular method is using large live golden shiners or suckers fished beneath a large bobber just after ice-out in shallow coves.

What do Northern Pike eat?

Adult Northern Pike are voracious carnivores feeding primarily on fish such as yellow perch, chubs, suckers, walleye, and bass, but also consume crawfish, frogs, mice, small birds, snakes, and even other pike. They exhibit cannibalistic behavior, particularly in younger age classes.

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