Northern Pike
Esox lucius
An aggressive ambush predator found across the northern United States and Canada in weedy lakes, bays, and rivers. A favorite of ice anglers using tip-ups and summer anglers working weed edges, pike deliver explosive strikes and raw power that make every hookup memorable.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- tip-ups with shiners
- trolling spoons
- casting spinnerbaits
- dead-baiting
Top Baits
- large shiners
- suckers
- spoons
- spinnerbaits
- in-line spinners
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Northern Pike, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
Alaska 1 zone
Northern pike are found in interior and western Alaska. Liberal limits in most areas. Some Southcentral waters have no limit as pike are invasive there.
Effective 2025 · Source: adfg.alaska.gov
Arizona 1 zone
No limit. Northern pike are considered invasive in Arizona. Anglers are encouraged to harvest all pike caught.
Effective 2025 · Source: azgfd.com
Colorado 1 zone
36-inch minimum and 1-fish limit statewide. Unlimited harvest of pike under 36 inches on some waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: cpw.state.co.us
Connecticut 1 zone
Open season from the third Saturday in April through the last day of February. Limited distribution in Connecticut.
Effective 2025 · Source: portal.ct.gov
Illinois 1 zone
Open year-round. Minimum size 24 inches. Found in northern Illinois lakes and backwater areas. Fox Chain of Lakes is a popular northern pike fishery.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov
Indiana 1 zone
Open year-round. Found primarily in northern Indiana lakes. Minimum size 24 inches.
Effective 2025 · Source: in.gov
Iowa 1 zone
Minimum length 24 inches. Daily bag limit of 3.
Effective 2025 · Source: iowadnr.gov
Maryland 1 zone
Found primarily in western Maryland. Limited distribution in the state.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov
Massachusetts 1 zone
Limited distribution in Massachusetts. Found in the Connecticut River system and select ponds.
Effective 2025 · Source: mass.gov
Michigan 1 zone
Lower Peninsula pike opener last Saturday in April. Upper Peninsula inland opens May 15. Great Lakes open all year.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Minnesota 1 zone
Season opens second Saturday in May on most inland waters. Minimum size 24 inches statewide. Only 1 pike over 30 inches may be kept. Some zone waters have 2-fish limit or catch-and-release only for large pike.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.state.mn.us
Montana 1 zone
Liberal limits and no minimum size on most waters. Harvest encouraged to protect native species.
Effective 2025 · Source: fwp.mt.gov
Nebraska 1 zone
24 inch minimum. 3 per day, 6 in possession.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov
New Jersey 1 zone
Limited distribution in New Jersey. Found primarily in the Delaware River system and select stocked waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: nj.gov
New Mexico 1 zone
No limit. Northern pike are invasive in New Mexico waters. Anglers encouraged to harvest all pike caught.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.state.nm.us
New York 1 zone
General statewide northern pike season. Some waters have special size and creel limits.
Effective 2025 · Source: dec.ny.gov
North Dakota 1 zone
24 inch minimum. 5 per day, 10 in possession. Only 1 may exceed 24 inches on some waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: gf.nd.gov
Ohio 1 zone
Open year-round. Not as common in Ohio as in northern Great Lakes states. Found in Lake Erie and some inland reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: ohiodnr.gov
Pennsylvania 1 zone
Open year-round on most waters. Minimum size 24 inches. Daily bag of 2. Found in northern and western Pennsylvania waters. Pymatuning Reservoir is a popular pike fishery.
Effective 2025 · Source: fishandboat.com
Rhode Island 1 zone
28-inch minimum size, 2 fish daily limit. Found in select ponds and reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: dem.ri.gov
South Dakota 1 zone
24-inch minimum, 3 fish daily limit. Pike found in glacial lakes of eastern South Dakota and Missouri River reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: gfp.sd.gov
Utah 1 zone
Liberal limits. Harvest strongly encouraged as they are invasive. Found in Yuba and other reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.utah.gov
Vermont 1 zone
Found primarily in Lake Champlain and connected waters. General statewide season.
Effective 2025 · Source: vtfishandwildlife.com
Virginia 1 zone
Minimum size 20 inches. Daily creel limit 2.
Effective 2025 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov
Wisconsin 1 zone
General inland season opens first Saturday in May. Minimum size is 24 inches on most inland waters. Some waters have 26-inch or 32-inch minimums. On the Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters and Green Bay, regulations may differ.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
State Records
Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.
| State | Weight | Length | Angler | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI | 46.25 lb | — | Joseph Berg | 2019 | Lake Michigan |
| NY | 46.13 lb | — | Peter Dubuc | 1940 | Great Sacandaga Lake |
| MN | 45.75 lb | — | — | — | Basswood Lake |
| MI | 39 lb | 51.5 in | — | 1961 | Dodge Lake |
| PA | 35 lb | — | Carl Stoltz | 2003 | Allegheny Reservoir |
| WA | 34.06 lb | — | Bryan McMannis | 2004 | Long Lake |
| IN | 30.13 lb | — | Jack Barnes | 1992 | Clear Lake |
| IL | 26.94 lb | — | Walter Klenzack | 1989 | Monster Lake |
| TN | 24.5 lb | — | Frank Childers | 1995 | South Holston Reservoir |
| OH | 22.78 lb | — | — | 2016 | — |
| MO | 18.56 lb | — | Gene Moore | 1975 | Stockton Lake |
| GA | 18.13 lb | — | Keith Gragg | 1982 | Lake Rabun |
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