The northern pike
Best techniques and tips for your fishing
With its ferocious appearance and powerful jaws, the pike is a prime target for anglers looking for thrills. Active throughout the season, it favors waters covered in vegetation, where it lies in wait to attack its prey.
Characteristics of the pike
- Average length: 50 to 75 cm
- Weight: 1 to 2 kg
- Description: A predatory fish known for its elongated body and duckbill-shaped jaw. Its coloration ranges from olive green to dark gray, dotted with irregular pale spots on its flanks. Its belly is paler, and its dorsal and anal fins are positioned toward the rear of its body.
- Habitat: Shallow, warm waters rich in dense vegetation.
The main fishing techniques and the best lures for pike
Techniques :
- Casting : Using lures that imitate natural prey.
- Trolling : Particularly effective for covering large areas.
Recommended lures :
- Jointed swimbaits (prefer noisy and shiny lures)
- Brightly colored waving spoons
- Heavy-duty spinnerbaits
The best places to fish for pike
In spring, it stays deeper in the cold water, as it is more oxygenated. During the summer heat, it moves to shallower areas (bays with dense seagrass beds). In the fall, when the grass dies back in the cold and the bays are less oxygenated, the Northern Pike generally stays near a plateau. In Lake Saint-Pierre, the following areas are particularly suitable:
- Dense seagrass beds : Provide ideal hiding places for pike in ambush (Grande Baie and Baie de l’île de Grâce).
- Reed borders : Prime hunting areas.
- Submerged structures : Such as fallen trees and rocks, which attract prey.
The best dates and times of day for pike fishing
- Best time of year : May to September, with peak activity at the end of June when the water warms up.
- Best times : Dawn and dusk, when pike are most likely to hunt.
- Optimal conditions : Lightly cloudy days with a light breeze.
Pro Tips for Pike
- Activity Periods : Northern pike are often most active in the early morning and late afternoon.
- Discreet approach : Avoid excessive noise so as not to frighten him.
- Vary recovery speeds : Alternating between slow and fast recoveries can trigger attacks.
- Use a steel leader : To prevent cuts from its sharp teeth.
Pike fishing regulations
Lake Saint-Pierre is a protected area within a wildlife reserve (the Lac Saint-Pierre AFC). Fishing in Lake Saint-Pierre requires a fishing permit in addition to a provincial fishing license.
- Daily limit: 6 pike per person (or per license if it is a family fishing license)
- Minimum size: none
- Fishing period: From May 2 to October 31, 2025.
- Breeding areas: No restrictions.
the endangered northern pike
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The fish of Lake St. Pierre
Also to see in the fishing experience of Lake St-Pierre
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