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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Northern Pike are non-native gamefish in Virginia, maintained exclusively through Virginia DWR's hatchery stocking program as a unique recreational fishing opportunity.

These carnivorous predators are ambush predators that prefer to conceal themselves in structure or submerged aquatic vegetation.

Scientific Name: Esox lucius

Also known as water wolves, gators

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by their elongated, torpedo-shaped bodies with olive to brown coloration and light yellow to white bellies, featuring distinctive light-colored, bean-shaped spots running down their dark green sides.
  • Pike have long 'duck-bill' snouts filled with razor-sharp canine teeth up to 1 inch long.
  • They can exceed 50 inches in length and live over 10 years in Virginia waters.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Virginia's pike populations are concentrated in specific stocked waters including select cooler mountain impoundments.

Key Locations

  • Focus your efforts on the Virginia DWR stocked waters, particularly Hidden Valley Lake in Washington County (accessible via Hidden Valley Road/Route 690 from Abingdon) and Arrowhead Lake near Luray.
  • Virginia's pike populations are concentrated in specific stocked waters including Hidden Valley Lake, Arrowhead Lake, and select other cooler mountain impoundments.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas with submerged vegetation, structure, and cover where these ambush predators wait for prey.
  • Focus on weed edges, points, dropoffs, and areas near cover.

Northern Pike FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Large spoons (Eppinger Dardevle, Bomber Slab Spoon), spinnerbaits (BOOYAH Pikee Spinnerbait), minnow-style jerkbaits, buzzbaits for aggressive fish, and blade baits for finicky pike.

What flies work for Northern Pike in Virginia?

Large streamers like Chip's Northern Magic and Monster Magic, Barry's Baitfish 2.0, Poor Man's Whistler for deeper water, Pike Bunny patterns, Lefty's Deceiver, SeaDucer, and surface poppers like Bangers for topwater action.

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

Fall being exceptional as pike move into shallows to feed heavily before winter. Spring offers good action after spawning concludes, while mid-summer requires targeting the cooler pockets of water where pike concentrate.

How do you catch Northern Pike in Virginia?

Retrieve lures with sharp, erratic motions to trigger strikes, and be prepared for explosive attacks. Focus on weed edges, points, dropoffs, and areas near cover.

What do Northern Pike eat?

Feeding primarily on other fish including yellow perch, suckers, walleye, and bass, but will also consume frogs, crayfish, small mammals, birds, and even other pike.

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