Northern Pike Fishing in Wisconsin
Esox lucius
Also known as: northern pike, northerns, pike, jackfish
Wisconsin quick take
Wisconsin pike usually tell you the pattern through weed position, and the outside edge gets stronger as soon as summer warms the shallow flat.
Max Length
150cm
Typical trophy size
Max Weight
25kg
Record class
Water Temp
46–70°F
Preferred range
Difficulty
3/5
Skill level
How to catch Northern Pike in Wisconsin
Wisconsin pike usually tell you the pattern through weed position, and the outside edge gets stronger as soon as summer warms the shallow flat.
Where to fish for Northern Pike in Wisconsin
Target Northwoods lakes, flowages, marshy bays, wild-rice edges, cabbage beds, and nearby drop-offs.
Use shallow spawning cover in spring and the first clean outside weed line once fish leave the bay.
On stained flowages, check current-touched weeds and backwater channels that hold bait.
How to work the pattern in Wisconsin
Keep moving baits just above the tops of the weeds and change cadence when fish show but stay behind the lure.
In clear water, back off the edge and work long parallel casts so the bait stays in the strike lane longer.
Seasonal behavior in Wisconsin
Spring fish crowd bays and reeds, summer locks them onto cabbage and outer weed edges, and fall keeps the best bite around remaining green vegetation and adjacent depth.