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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Northern Pike are a highly invasive, non-native predatory fish that pose a significant threat to Oregon's salmon and steelhead populations.

These aggressive predators are illegally introduced and currently established in the upper Columbia River Basin, particularly above Grand Coulee Dam in Washington waters near the Oregon border.

Scientific Name: Esox lucius

Physical Characteristics:
  • Pike are voracious apex predators with elongated, snake-like bodies featuring olive green coloration with horizontal, bean-shaped white to yellow spots, duck-bill shaped snouts with sharp teeth, and 1-5 sensory pores under their jaws.
  • They can grow up to 45 inches and weigh over 27 pounds, with an average size around 26 inches and 4 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Pike are extremely adaptable, thriving in shallow, vegetated waters but also surviving in rocky shorelines and fast-moving rivers.

Key Locations

  • Currently found in Lake Roosevelt (Columbia River reservoir behind Grand Coulee Dam) and the Pend Oreille River system.

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow, vegetated areas including backwaters, weed flats, bulrush covers, and areas near rocky shorelines with fast current.
  • Target structure like points, drop-offs, weed edges, 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 Oregon?

Spoons (especially Johnson Silver Minnow and Len Thompson Five of Diamonds), large spinners, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits like Suicks, swimbaits, and crankbaits.

What flies work for Northern Pike in Oregon?

Large streamers like Chip's Northern Magic, Monster Magic, Barry's Baitfish 2.0, Poor Man's Whistler, Pike Bunny (leech imitations), SeaDucer, Lefty's Deceiver, topwater Bangers, and deep-running Half and Half patterns.

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

Best fishing occurs during spring (ice-out through spawning), fall, and winter periods. Avoid fishing during their spawning period (when water reaches 40-45°F) as this is when they're reproducing.

How do you catch Northern Pike in Oregon?

Work lures with erratic retrieve patterns, allowing long pauses (10-60 seconds) especially with jerkbaits. Pike are solitary ambush predators that use vegetation for cover, lying in wait before explosive attacks.

What do Northern Pike eat?

Their diet consists of virtually anything they can swallow, including juvenile salmon and trout (making up 76% of their diet in Lake Roosevelt), other fish, ducks, small mammals, frogs, and even other pike up to one-third their own size.

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