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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Northern Pike are found statewide throughout South Dakota in lakes, rivers, streams, impoundments and ponds, with particularly notable populations in the Missouri River reservoirs including Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis and Clark Lake.

Physical Characteristics:
  • These torpedo-shaped predators are distinguished by their slender build, duckbill-shaped snout filled with sharp teeth, fully scaled cheeks with five or fewer sensory pores on the lower jaw, and light markings on a dark background.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found statewide throughout South Dakota in lakes, rivers, streams, impoundments and ponds.

Key Locations

  • Missouri River reservoirs including Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis and Clark Lake.

Specific Spots

  • Pike typically inhabit shallow, vegetated areas where they hide among submerged trees, vegetation, and structure.
  • Target northwestern-facing bays with dark bottoms, heavy bulrush cover, and depths of 6 feet or less.
  • During summer, target deeper, cooler waters where pike follow schools of baitfish.
  • Fall opportunities exist around remaining green vegetation and rocky areas.

Northern Pike FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Effective lures include spoons (especially red/white and chartreuse patterns like Johnson Silver Minnow, Dardevles), large spinnerbaits, inline spinners with bucktail, swimbaits, crankbaits, deep-diving crankbaits, and dead bait rigs with treble hooks tipped with smelt.

What flies work for Northern Pike in South Dakota?

Top fly patterns include large streamers, mouse patterns, whistlers, big poppers, and 3-12 inch flies in flashy colors.

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

Spring offers excellent pike fishing in South Dakota as waters warm and fish move into shallow bays, particularly on Lake Oahe where back bays begin warming by late March or early April. Summer fishing requires targeting deeper, cooler waters.

How do you catch Northern Pike in South Dakota?

During ice-out, big fish prefer dead bait rigs with treble hooks. Summer fishing requires using electronics to locate them and troll at 2.8-3.5 mph. Target northwestern-facing bays with dark bottoms, heavy bulrush cover, and depths of 6 feet or less.

What do Northern Pike eat?

Their diet consists primarily of fish, insects, crustaceans, birds, and small mammals, with adult pike feeding on species like yellow perch, chubs, suckers, walleye, bass, and even other pike. They're opportunistic feeders that will consume prey up to one-third of their body length.

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