Pike Esox lucius The pike, or northern pike is one of the largest freshwater fish found in the UK. They can be spotted in various locations such as rivers, canals, lochs and lakes throughout Scotland. They are distinguishable by their large size, long body, rows of sharp teeth, and fearsome reputation.
Where is the best pike fishing in the UK?
Arguably the best pike fishing water in Britain, Lomond has repeatedly produced monster fish of 40lb or more. Back in August Andrew Carson bagged a 40lb 5oz specimen from this historic 24-mile-long venue.
Where is the best place to find pike?
river
Pike are predatory fish and like to ambush their prey, which means they will often sit in the slacker parts of the river, waiting for their target to swim unsuspectingly by.
Here are a few places that are worth checking for pike when fishing rivers:
- Weir Pools.
- Locks.
- Bends.
- Deep Sections & Drop Offs.
- Structures.
- Snags.
Do pike live in UK rivers?
Rivers such as the Wharfe and Trent are big rivers and experience has shown that the pike on this type of watercourse are very migratory. By getting the fish used to feeding in a certain area, you can start to either hold them there or intercept them as they are travelling in search of food.
Can you get pike in the UK?
Pike are common in our waters. All canals, reservoirs and rivers will contain some pike. A 37lb pike was caught from the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in 2004 and a 42lb pike was caught from Boddington Reservoir in 2010.
Can you fish for pike all year round UK?
Lots of anglers fish for pike from October through to the end of the traditional river season on 15 March. Some wait until the first frosts in autumn. Many other anglers fish for pike all year round.
What is the best time of year to catch pike?
The best time of year for pike is fall, as the water temperature is slowly dropping and the pike feed and hunt very actively and aggressively. More specifically, September and October are, by far, the best months to target pike.
Do pike like shallow or deep water?
Most of these fish are caught in shallow water. Big pike, however, go deep. Many times they are in water 15 feet deep or deeper. At these times, a big deep running lure is needed.
Do pike bite swimmers UK?
Pike have occasionally injured the hands of many unsuspecting anglers and have victimized a few swimmers. Reports may be wildly exaggerated and may place these fish in a bad light.
How deep should I fish for pike?
Getting lures down to deepwater pike can be challenging, but there are some simple techniques for quickly and methodically covering productive areas. Most midsummer pike relate to structure in depths of 20 to 60 feet; they’re deepwater creatures, but usually not as deep as most lake trout.
What time of day are pike most active?
Pike in the morning are more active than usual. Early morning right before the sun rises is an excellent time to target hungry pike. You can either find them in open or shallow water hunting down their first meal of the day.
What’s the best bait to catch pike?
Soft rayed fish that have lots of natural oil in the skin and flesh make the best dead baits for pike fishing. These natural oils leech into the water and help to attract pike that may be cruising in the area. Some of the best dead baits are smelt, alewives, small whitefish, chubs, and the always popular sucker.
Where are the biggest pike in UK?
The biggest pike caught fairly in Britain on fishing tackle is officially a 46 lb 13 oz beast. That was caught back in 1992 by Roy Lewis at Llandegfedd Reservoir, in South Wales.
How do you know if there is pike in a lake?
There are certain features in water that are a great bet to find pike. Look for drop-offs which are noted holding points for the predators such as pike as they can hold in the deeper water, waiting for prey fish to move in or out of the shallows before they strike.
Are pike hard to catch?
Pike are aggressive apex predators and are usually easy to catch, because they will chase and bite at almost anything smaller than them.
Is live bait illegal UK?
Bait and lures
You can use live bait (using small fish to catch bigger fish) providing you keep the bait fish at, and only use them in, the water you took them from. Please note, some local byelaws do not allow this.
Where do pike like to hide?
In rivers, pikes usually stay out of the stream, hiding in water weeds and lily pads. A great place to start would be the turning points of a river or river mouths. When it’s warm, pikes move to deeper waters.
Do you need a licence for pike fishing?
To fish for pike a Non Migratory Trout and Coarse Fish licence is required.
Where do big pike hang out?
The really large Northern Pike are more likely to hang around points leading into bays, narrows between islands or in river current especially later in the spring. They like to hang around areas where Walleyes and Bass are migrating through to ambush them.
Is March good for pike fishing?
Mid February to March
This is often the most rewarding time of year for the dedicated pike angler. As the ice starts to thaw & water temperatures creep up to around 5 degrees, the pike start to move from deeper water and head to the shallower spawning grounds.
Where do pike go in March?
Depending on their range, northern pike typically spawn sometime between March and May, when water temperatures are between 40 and 45F. They can spawn both in open water and under the ice and prefer shallow areas rich in vegetation.
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