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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Northern Pike are an introduced species in New Hampshire. These impressive predators are ambush predators nicknamed 'water wolves,' they possess lightning-quick acceleration and ruthless fighting ability.

Scientific Name: Esox lucius

Also known as water wolves

Physical Characteristics:
  • These impressive predators can reach astounding sizes, with some fish growing to 50 inches and 40 pounds.
  • The New Hampshire state record pike weighs 26 pounds, 9.44 ounces (44.50 inches) and was caught on Moore Reservoir in 2013.
  • Pike are distinguished from chain pickerel by their olive-green to grey coloration with white bar-like spots on the sides, and the absence of scales on the lower half of the gill cover.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • In New Hampshire's rivers and streams, they prefer sluggish, cool water, while in lakes they favor weedy or cold, clear, rocky areas.
  • Their distribution in New Hampshire is naturally limited by the state's acidic water chemistry, which affects male pike sperm motility, preventing widespread colonization and protecting native trout populations.

Key Locations

  • Primarily found in the Connecticut River and several other waterbodies including Moore Reservoir, Upper and Lower Baker Ponds, and various Connecticut River oxbows.
  • The Connecticut River from Moore Reservoir down to the Massachusetts border offers excellent opportunities, particularly the upper valley section from Claremont to Piermont.

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow, weedy areas and setbacks in spring, shallow, weed-filled backwaters during cooler months, deeper main river areas and cooler confluences during summer heat.

Northern Pike FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Effective lures include large inline spinners (Rooster Tail, Mepps, Blue Fox), spoons (Dardevles, Little Cleos), minnow-imitating plugs (Rapala Original, Shad Rap), white spinnerbaits with trailers, and topwater plugs like Jitterbugs during calm conditions.

What flies work for Northern Pike in New Hampshire?

Top fly patterns include Chip's Northern Magic, Monster Magic, Barry's Baitfish 2.0, Lefty's Deceiver, Whistler, and large streamers in yellow, white, and chartreuse colors.

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

The best pike fishing in New Hampshire occurs from late April through November, with May and September through November being prime periods.

How do you catch Northern Pike in New Hampshire?

For fly fishing, fish flies with slow, varied retrieves including long strips followed by pauses, and always perform the figure-eight retrieve at boat-side as 75% of strikes occur within a rod length. Always strip-set rather than lifting the rod when a fish strikes.

What do Northern Pike eat?

Pike require an estimated 5-6 pounds of food for each pound of body weight gain, consuming a stunning quantity of fish and other vertebrate prey including frogs, crayfish, and waterfowl.

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