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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Northern Pike are a non-native, highly invasive species classified as prohibited aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Washington. These apex predators are highly piscivorous with voracious appetites, consuming substantial quantities of native fish.

They're ambush predators that lie motionless before explosive strikes.

Scientific Name: Esox lucius

Physical Characteristics:
  • Can live over 20 years, grow to more than 45 pounds, and reach lengths up to 46+ inches.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Now established throughout the upper Columbia River Basin after being originally introduced illegally in the 1950s in Montana rivers and 1970s in the Coeur d'Alene river system, they have steadily expanded downstream.

Key Locations

  • Pend Oreille River (Box Canyon and Boundary Reservoirs), Spokane River from Lake Coeur d'Alene downstream to Long Lake, Columbia River upstream of Grand Coulee Dam, Lake Roosevelt, Lake Washington in King County, and Carefree Lake on San Juan Island.
  • Prime locations include Box Canyon Reservoir, Boundary Reservoir, sections of the Spokane River, and areas near the mouths of the Kettle and Colville Rivers in Lake Roosevelt.

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow, weedy areas including vegetated sloughs, inlets, bays, coves, and drop-offs with abundant vegetation where they ambush prey.
  • Prefer shallow, weedy areas with sluggish currents and vegetated sloughs.

Northern Pike FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Large flashy spoons (especially 1⁄8 oz Johnson Silver Minnow), inline spinners, soft plastic swimbaits, topwater lures, and crankbaits in chartreuse, red, yellow, white, and natural baitfish patterns.

What flies work for Northern Pike in Washington?

Chip's Northern Magic, Monster Magic, Barry's Baitfish 2.0, Poor Man's Whistler, Pike Bunny, SeaDucer, Lefty's Deceiver, topwater Bangers, and Half and Half for deeper presentations.

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

Best during fall through early spring when they're most active, avoiding the March-April spawning period.

How do you catch Northern Pike in Washington?

Retrieve lures slowly and consistently to mimic injured baitfish, and continue retrieving even after feeling a strike as pike often play with their food before committing.

What do Northern Pike eat?

Consuming substantial quantities of native fish including endangered salmonids, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, peamouth, largescale suckers, northern pikeminnow, mountain whitefish, brown bullhead, and even other northern pike.

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