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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Northern Pike are native to the Upper Mississippi River system, where they provide an important recreational fishery for anglers. Pike are carnivorous ambush predators with elongated torpedo-shaped bodies.

The Upper Mississippi River consistently supports pike populations, with anglers reporting catches from every pool, though abundance decreases moving downstream.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Elongated torpedo-shaped bodies, reaching average lengths of 18-25 inches and weights of 2-5 pounds, though specimens over 40 inches are possible in quality waters.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Pike prefer vegetated backwater areas, side channels, and areas with cover like submerged timber or weed beds where they can ambush prey.
  • Pike occupy backwater habitat year-round but can tolerate more flow than other species, utilizing side channels when backwaters are degraded.

Key Locations

  • Mississippi River pools along Iowa's border, upper navigation pools (Pools 10-13), tailwaters below navigation dams, wing dams along main channels, Switzer Lake, Frentress Lake, Potter's Slough in Pool 12, various sloughs throughout Pools 13-19.

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow dark-bottomed backwater areas, side channels, and vegetated bays, typically 1-5 feet deep in spring.
  • Summer: deeper backwaters and weed edges, cabbage beds.
  • Fall: shallows around remaining green weeds and rocky areas.
  • Focus on points leading into bays, narrow channels between waters, and areas where baitfish concentrate.

Northern Pike FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Spoons like Daredevils, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, large #4-5 Mepps Muskie Killer bucktail spinners, Johnson Silver Minnows, large swimbaits, and inline spinners.

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

Spring after spawn ends when water temperatures approach 50-55°F. Summer when temperatures exceed 65°F. Fall around remaining green weeds and rocky areas. They spawn in early spring when water temperatures reach 40-45°F, typically in March-April - a time to avoid targeting them.

How do you catch Northern Pike in Mississippi?

Work lures slowly through cover. Troll spoons over cabbage beds at 2.8-3.5 mph. Use weedless spoons in thick vegetation.

What do Northern Pike eat?

They consume up to one-fifth of their body weight daily, feeding primarily on fish like yellow perch, chubs, suckers, walleye, and bass, plus frogs, crayfish, small mammals, birds, and other pike.

Where do Northern Pike live in Mississippi?

Pike prefer vegetated backwater areas, side channels, and areas with cover like submerged timber or weed beds where they can ambush prey. Pike occupy backwater habitat year-round but can tolerate more flow than other species, utilizing side channels when backwaters are degraded.

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