How to Fly Fish for Northern Pike: 7 Expert Tips for Success

Fly fishing for northern pike offers an exhilarating challenge for anglers seeking to test their skills against these powerful predators. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the techniques, gear, and strategies needed to learn how to fly fish for northern pike successfully. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the sport, our expert tips will help you improve your chances of landing these aggressive fish.

Is Fly Fishing Good for Pike?

Fly fishing for northern pike is an intense experience, but is it really a good method for targeting these toothy predators? Let’s dive into the advantages, challenges, and how it compares to other fishing methods.

Advantages of Fly Fishing for Pike

When it comes to targeting northern pike, fly fishing offers some unique benefits that can make it an excellent choice:

1. Versatility: With fly fishing, you can easily switch between different fly patterns and presentations to match the pike’s mood and feeding habits.
2. Visual excitement: Watching a pike attack your fly on the surface or just below can be incredibly thrilling and adds an extra dimension to your fishing experience.
3. Homemade fly excitement: Watching a pike demolish a fly made by you is incredibly satisfying.
4. Lighter tackle: Fly fishing gear is often lighter than conventional tackle, making for a more enjoyable fight with these powerful fish.

Challenges and Considerations

While fly fishing for pike can be rewarding, it’s not without its challenges:

1. Casting large flies: Pike flies are often bulkier and on the heavier side, which can be difficult to cast, especially for beginners.
2. Weather conditions: Wind can be a significant factor when fly fishing, making accurate casting more challenging. Wind is the bane of fly fishers! Having said that, using a heavier action rod (like medium-fast or fast) and fly line can make casting in windy situations more bearable.
3. Learning curve: Mastering the techniques specific to pike fly fishing can take time and practice, but in our opinion, the rewards are worth it. There’s nothing quite like fly fishing!

Comparison to Other Fishing Methods

So, how does fly fishing stack up against other methods for catching northern pike?

• Compared to spin fishing: Fly fishing allows for a more delicate presentation and can be more effective in shallow water or when targeting surface-feeding pike.
• Compared to bait fishing: Fly fishing is generally more active and engaging, and it eliminates the need for bait handling and storage.

In conclusion, fly fishing can be an excellent method for targeting northern pike, especially if you enjoy a more active and challenging fishing experience.

Essential Gear: How to Set Up a Fly Line for Pike

Now that we’ve established that fly fishing can be an effective method for catching northern pike, let’s discuss how to set up your fly line for optimal performance. For larger pikes, it’s generally recommended to use a 7wt – 9wt (even a 10wt if the pike are large enough), however, if your area has smaller pikes, and you are looking for a general purpose fly kit, 6wt is also a great starter choice (keep in mind that a lower weight means you may need to go down in fly size in order to properly and safely cast). We’ve caught many pikes in the ~50cm – ~60cm range as by-catch while fly fishing for walleye and goldeye.

NOTE: We do not recommend using a 6wt fly setup if you actively looking for larger pike. Some of the areas we fish have smaller fish (very rare you get a pike of 70cm / 27″+), so a 6wt would be alright, but certainly for bigger, we highly recommend you get at least an 8wt fly kit.

Choosing the Right Fly Line Weight and Type

When fly fishing for northern pike, selecting the appropriate fly line for the occasion is important. Here are some key considerations:

1. Line weight: As mentioned earlier, for larger pike, you’ll generally want to use a 7- to 9-weight line, depending on the size of the fish you’re targeting and the flies you’ll be casting.
2. Line type: While floating lines are versatile and work well in many situations, intermediate or sink-tip lines can be useful when fishing deeper water, in windy conditions, or in rivers where you must deal with water currents.

Leader and Tippet Selection

Choosing the right leader and tippet is essential when fly fishing for pike:

1. Leader length: You have some options here. A 5ft leader (mono or fluorocarbon) is a common streamer fly fishing length, and a 7 – 9ft leader (monofilament or fluorocarbon) is a common general purpose length.
2. Tippet material: There is much debate on this topic. Many people like using a high pound test monofilament / fluorocarbon line (thing 30 – 50lb+). Personally, we lost fish because they bit through the line before we reeled them in, so we always recommend getting a wire leader, 6″ length should be enough, longer is also fine (we usually get whatever size we find). Something to keep in mind: we have noticed the wire leaders tend to coil after a few pike hits. It might be a bit harder to cast with the coils, however, from our experience, the pike don’t seem to care if the leader is coiled or not, they are just incredibly aggressive fish.

Recommended Backing and Knots

Don’t forget about the backing and knots when setting up your fly line for pike. From our experience, while pike are heavy hitters initially and they  tend to gas out quickly, it’s still a good idea to have enough backing (you never know what you might hook):

1. Backing: Follow the pound-test and length provided by your reel. Generally, it’s around 60 – 100 yards of 20-30 lb backing.
2. Knots: Learn and practice strong knots like the improved clinch knot, loop-to-loop connection, and non-slip mono loop for attaching your fly line, leader, and flies.

Where Are the Best Places to Fly Fish for Northern Pike?

Knowing where to find northern pike is half the battle when it comes to successful fly fishing. Let’s explore the ideal habitats, seasonal patterns, and top destinations for pike fly fishing.

Ideal Habitats and Structures

Northern pike tend to prefer specific types of habitats and structures:

1. Weed beds: Pike often lurk in or near aquatic vegetation, using it as cover to ambush prey.
2. Drop-offs: Areas where shallow water quickly transitions to deeper water can be pike hotspots.
3. Points and underwater structures: Submerged logs, rocks, and other structures can attract baitfish and, consequently, pike.

4. Quiet bays and backwaters: These areas often provide ideal conditions for pike, especially during spawning season.

Seasonal Patterns and Locations

Pike behavior and location can vary throughout the year:

1. Spring: Look for pike in shallow, warmer waters near spawning areas.
2. Summer: As water temperatures rise, pike may move to deeper, cooler waters or seek out well-oxygenated areas.
3. Fall: Pike often return to shallower waters to feed heavily before winter.

4. Winter: In regions where ice fishing is possible, pike can be found near drop-offs and structures.

Top Destinations for Pike Fly Fishing

While northern pike can be found in many places, some destinations are particularly renowned for pike fly fishing:

1. Canada: Provinces like Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario offer world-class pike fishing opportunities.
2. Alaska: Many of Alaska’s lakes and rivers hold trophy-sized pike.
3. Ireland: The lakes of Ireland, particularly in the midlands, are known for their pike fishing.

4. Sweden: The vast lake systems in Sweden provide excellent habitat for large pike.
5. Minnesota: The Land of 10,000 Lakes offers numerous opportunities for pike fly fishing.

Remember, always check local regulations and obtain necessary permits before fishing in any new location.

What Are the Best Flies for Northern Pike?

Choosing the right flies is crucial when targeting northern pike on the fly. Let’s explore some effective patterns, size considerations, and when to use different types of flies.

Effective Fly Patterns and Colors

When it comes to pike flies, bigger is often better. Some popular patterns include:

1. Bunny Leeches: These flies mimic large baitfish and create enticing movement in the water.
2. Deceiver patterns: These versatile flies can imitate a variety of baitfish and work well for pike.
3. Pike Bunnies: Large, bulky flies that push a lot of water and attract aggressive strikes.

4. Musky Flies: Many flies designed for musky fishing also work well for pike.

As for colors, some effective options include:

• White and chartreuse
• Black and red
• Yellow and orange
• Natural baitfish colors (gray, silver, olive)

Size Considerations for Pike Flies

When fly fishing for northern pike, don’t be afraid to go big:

• 4-6 inches: Good for average-sized pike and easier to cast
• 6-10 inches: Ideal for trophy pike and imitating larger prey
• 10+ inches: For truly monster pike, but can be challenging to cast

When to Use Different Types of Flies

Choosing the right fly can depend on various factors:

1. Surface flies: Use these during warm months when pike are actively feeding on the surface.
2. Subsurface flies: Effective year-round, especially when pike are holding deeper.
3. Streamers: Great for covering water and searching for active fish.

4. Articulated flies: These multi-jointed flies create lifelike movement and can trigger aggressive strikes.

Remember to match your flies to the local baitfish and adjust based on the pike’s behavior and feeding patterns.

Techniques: How to Fly Fish for Northern Pike

Now that we’ve covered the gear and flies, let’s dive into the techniques you’ll need to successfully fly fish for northern pike.

Casting Methods for Large Flies

Casting large pike flies can be challenging, but with practice, you can improve your accuracy and distance:

1. Double Haul: This technique helps generate more line speed, making it easier to cast heavy flies.
2. Open Loop Cast: Using a wider loop can help prevent your bulky flies from tangling mid-cast.
3. Water Load Cast: Utilizing the water’s surface tension can assist in loading your rod for the next cast.

4. Roll Cast: Useful when you have limited backcast room or in windy conditions.

Retrieval Techniques and Speeds

How you retrieve your fly can make a big difference in attracting pike:

1. Strip-and-pause: This erratic retrieve imitates an injured baitfish and can trigger strikes.
2. Steady retrieve: A constant, moderate-speed retrieve can work well when pike are actively feeding.
3. Figure-8: As your fly approaches the boat, using a figure-8 pattern can entice following pike to strike.

4. Vary your speed: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different retrieval speeds to find what the pike prefer on any given day.

Reading Water and Locating Pike

Understanding where pike are likely to be holding can increase your chances of success:

1. Look for structure: Pike often relate to weed edges, fallen trees, and other cover.
2. Focus on transitions: Areas where shallow water meets deep water can be pike hotspots.
3. Watch for signs: Swirls on the surface or fleeing baitfish can indicate pike activity.

4. Use polarized sunglasses: These can help you spot pike lurking beneath the surface.

Remember, patience and persistence are key when fly fishing for northern pike. Don’t be afraid to spend time working a promising area thoroughly.

What Weight Fly Rod is Best for Northern Pike?

Choosing the right fly rod is crucial for successfully targeting northern pike. Let’s explore the recommended rod weights, how to balance your setup, and considerations for fighting large pike.

Recommended Rod Weights and Actions

When it comes to fly fishing for northern pike, you’ll want a rod that can handle large flies and powerful fish:

1. Rod weight: As mentioned in the line section, generally one would go with a 7wt – to 10wt fly rods for pike fishing. An 8-weight is versatile and can handle most pike fishing situations, while a 9- or 10-weight offers more power for larger flies and bigger fish. 6wt would be mostly used a general purpose setup and for smaller pikes. As mentioned earlier, we caught many small pikes with a 6wt setup, although we do not recommend 6wt for larger pikes. You must remember, even if your line or rod does not break, playing the fish too long can lead to its death.
2. Rod action: Stiffer fly rods, such as medium-fast or fast-action fly rods are generally preferred for pike fishing. They provide:
   • Better casting accuracy with heavy flies
   • More hook-setting power
   • Improved control when fighting large fish
3. Rod length: 9-foot rods are standard in many places and offer a good balance of casting distance and control. However, longer rods (9’6″ to 10′) can be beneficial for roll casting and managing line on the water, not to mention, the extra length helps with casting further.

Balancing Your Rod with Reel and Line

To get the most out of your pike fly fishing setup, it’s important to balance your rod with an appropriate reel and line:

1. Reel: Choose a reel that matches your rod weight and has a smooth, reliable drag system. Large arbor reels are popular for pike fishing as they allow for faster line retrieval.
2. Line: Match your line weight to your rod weight. For pike fishing, weight-forward floating lines are versatile, but don’t hesitate to use sinking or sink-tip lines when fishing deeper water.
3. Backing: Use at least 100 yards of 20-30 lb backing to give you extra fighting capacity with larger pike.

Considerations for Fighting Large Pike

When battling big northern pike, your rod plays a crucial role:

1. Fighting butt: A rod with a fighting butt provides extra leverage and comfort when playing large fish.
2. Lifting power: Stronger rods (9- or 10-weight) offer more lifting power, which can be crucial when pulling pike away from weeds or structure.
3. Flexibility: While you want a strong rod, some flexibility is beneficial for absorbing sudden runs and head shakes from powerful pike.

Remember, the best rod weight for northern pike can depend on your specific fishing conditions and personal preferences. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different setups to find what works best for you.

Tips for Landing and Handling Northern Pike

Successfully hooking a northern pike is only half the battle. Knowing how to properly land and handle these toothy predators is crucial for both the fish’s well-being and your safety.

Using the Right Landing Gear

Having the proper tools can make landing pike much easier and safer:

1. Large landing net: Use a rubberized or knotless net to protect the fish’s slime coat.
2. Long-nosed pliers: Essential for safely removing hooks from the pike’s mouth.
3. Jaw spreaders: These can help you safely open a pike’s mouth if needed.

4. Wire cutters: In case you need to cut a hook that’s deeply embedded.

Proper Handling Techniques

Handling pike correctly is crucial for their survival if you plan to release them:

1. Wet your hands: This helps protect the fish’s slime coat.
2. Support the fish’s body: Never hold a pike vertically by its gills or mouth (do NOT put your hands in its mouth or you will need surgical help if it bites you).
3. Be mindful of the gills: Avoid touching or damaging the sensitive gill area.

Catch and Release Best Practices

If you’re practicing catch and release, follow these guidelines:

1. Minimize time out of water: Try to unhook the fish while it’s still in the net in the water.
2. Use barbless hooks: These are easier to remove and cause less damage to the fish.
3. Revive the fish: Hold the pike in the water, supporting its body and moving it gently back and forth to help oxygenate its gills.

4. Release in calm water: Avoid releasing pike in fast currents where they may struggle to recover.

By following these tips, you can ensure a successful and responsible pike fly fishing experience while minimizing harm to these magnificent predators.

Conclusion

Fly fishing for northern pike offers a thrilling experience that combines skill, strategy, and the right gear. By following our expert tips on how to fly fish for northern pike, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle these aggressive predators. Remember to choose the appropriate gear, learn effective techniques, and fish in prime locations to maximize your success on the water.