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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Northern Pike in Massachusetts are non-native predatory fish that have been successfully established through decades of stocking by MassWildlife. These toothy predators are carnivorous ambush hunters.

Physical Characteristics:
  • These toothy predators have elongated bodies, sharp needle-like teeth, and olive-green coloration with light oblong spots.
  • They're distinguished from chain pickerel by having light markings on a dark background and fewer than six sensory pores on the underside of their lower jaw.
  • Massachusetts pike average smaller than their northern counterparts, typically 5-10 pounds, though trophy fish approaching 25-30 pounds are caught annually.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They prefer clear, vegetated waters in lakes, quiet pools, and backwaters of creeks and rivers, typically inhabiting depths up to 100 feet but favoring 1-5 feet.

Key Locations

  • In Massachusetts, they're found in waters like Wequaquet Lake (Barnstable), East Brimfield Reservoir, Quaboag Pond (Brookfield), Cheshire Reservoir, Holland Pond, Lake Buel (Monterey), Onota and Pontoosuc Lakes (Pittsfield), Quinsigamond Lake (Shrewsbury), and sections of the Connecticut and Concord Rivers.
  • The state record is 35 pounds from South Pond in Brookfield.

Specific Spots

  • Target pike along weed edges, around logs and rockpiles, near stream inlets, and at the base of cranberry bog dams where oxygenated water creates deeper spots.

Northern Pike FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Productive lures include red and white Dardevles, large spoons (5-6 inches), chrome whitefish spoons, 6-8 inch soft baits and swimmers, large spinnerbaits, giant chatterbaits, and weedless frogs for shallow, weedy areas.

What flies work for Northern Pike in Massachusetts?

Large streamers (5-7 inches) featuring synthetic materials for durability - simple patterns with hackle feathers, tinsel flash, and synthetic dubbing heads work well. Popular fly patterns include Pike Bunny, Whistlers, and large baitfish streamers in flashy colors.

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

The best times are fall (late August through October) when pike feed heavily preparing for winter, and late spring after spawning when they're aggressive and following forage in shallow water. Summer can be excellent if you target cool pockets of water created by underwater springs and cold inflows.

How do you catch Northern Pike in Massachusetts?

In summer heat, focus on areas with moving water or deeper sections during dawn and dusk.

What do Northern Pike eat?

Pike are voracious feeders with diets consisting primarily of fish (yellow perch, shiners, suckers), but they'll also consume frogs, crayfish, small mammals, birds, and even other pike - in some Alaska waters, up to 90% of their diet is other northerns.

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