You’re out on the crystal clear waters of a remote northern lake, surrounded by rugged wilderness as far as the eye can see. Suddenly, the water churns as an aggressive strike hits your rod, and in a flash, you’re engulfed in the exhilaration of fighting a giant of the deep. As the fish runs and the line flies off your reel, you can’t wait to experience a thrill every trophy angler dreams of—the thrill of successfully landing a monster Northern Pike.
This is Pike fishing on Munroe Lake. We invite you to make the dream a reality!
Munroe Lake Lodge is the only lodge on Munroe Lake in Manitoba’s remote, northern wilderness. Truly a trophy angler’s paradise, the lake and surrounding area are virtually untouched by humans and only accessible via charter flight. Munroe Lake is 21 km / 13 miles long and 6.4 km / 4 miles wide and boasts several inflowing creeks, shallow bays, sandy beaches, and rock piles. Numerous trophy fish are caught here every year and Pike fishing is exceptional all season long (mid-June to October).
If you’re chasing that perfect location to reel in the monster Northern Pike of your dreams, Munroe Lake Lodge is the spot you’ve been seeking. Very little fishing pressure combined with pristine conditions ideal for Pike and other fish species to thrive make Munroe Lake one of Canada’s premier fishing destinations for anglers of all experience levels.
We feel that our years of first-hand experience helping clients land trophy Pike in every season qualify us to offer definitive guidance on how to fish for these fabled and sharp-fanged behemoths. That’s why we’ve put together this ultimate guide to Northern Pike fishing. We hope you find it helpful and that it inspires you to pack your bags and head north to the realm of Bears, Moose, Caribou, and northern lights for the fishing adventure of a lifetime. When it does, we’ll be here waiting to take you out on the water.
Introduction To Northern Pike Fishing
Northern Pike have many names. Here, in Manitoba, they’re often referred to as Jackfish, or simply Jack, but these powerful apex predators are also known by other monikers including Water Wolf, Northacuda, and Freshwater Shark. Based on these nicknames alone, you might be conjuring up an image of a pretty fearsome beast. And you’d be right. Northern Pike is not a fish species for the faint of heart.
Belonging to the genus Esox, Northern Pike (Esox lucius) are ambush predators known for their razor-sharp teeth, voracious appetite, and explosive strength as they speed through the water in pursuit of prey. A long triangular head with sunken eyes and a gaping, primeval mouth gives way to a long, lean body built for camouflage and powerful predation. Northern Pike are olive green with lighter, bar-like spots, a light underbelly, and fins located toward the back of the body to increase swimming speed. They commonly live to be 10-15 years old but have been known to live as long as 25 years and reach truly monstrous sizes. The largest Northern Pike ever caught in Manitoba was 178 cm / 70” long and weighed 23 kg / 50 lbs.
Northern Pike are undoubtedly one of the most exciting freshwater game fish to catch. Many an angler has thought that perhaps they snagged a log only to find themselves in a whirlwind battle of strength and stamina with a powerful opponent. Other times, a Pike will hammer a lure so aggressively that it takes every ounce of strategy to set the hook, play the fish, and guide it into the net.
One thing’s for sure: Pike fishing is never boring and memories will be made every time you head out in search of these thrilling and powerful underwater dominators.
Best Time Of Year To Fish For Northern Pike
There is no best time of year to fish for Northern Pike. Why? Because Pike are active all year round. You may find that you personally prefer pursuing them at certain times of year, but with a little understanding of their seasonal patterns and behaviour, you can reel them in just as successfully under the blazing summer sun as under the ice. Let’s take a closer look:
Spring - As the ice thaws and the water begins to warm in the springtime, Northern Pike move into shallower areas to spawn. This is the perfect season to cast into shallow inlets and bays as well as areas of underwater vegetation, where Pike prefer to lay their eggs. Northern Pike may also be found near underwater drop-offs in the spring as they wait for the right conditions to transition into shallower areas.
Summer - During the heat of summer, Northern Pike can often be found retreating deep into colder waters. At sunrise and sunset, however, when it is cooler but still light enough to hunt, they often emerge into shallower waters to seek prey. This is a good season to fish shallow areas, drop-offs, and weed beds near the hours when the sun is rising and/or setting. You may also have luck catching Pike in deeper water, even during the middle of the day.
Fall - Northern Pike are known to be particularly active and aggressive in the fall as they prepare for the comparative cold and scarcity of winter. In this season, they’ll often hungrily attack prey (or lures) in shallow or deep water as well as near drop-offs and weed beds. The fall is a great time to hone your Pike angling skills and enjoy the thrill of some good fights along the way.
Winter - At Munroe Lake Lodge, we’re not active during the winter season—but the Northern Pike are! If you plan to ice fish for Northern Pike, you’ll likely track them in shallower water early in the winter, further out in mid-winter as they follow bait fish into deeper depths, and near shallower areas and drop-offs again in late winter as they begin to stage in preparation for the spring spawn. If possible, ice fish near sunken structure, such as logs, where Pike like to hide in wait to ambush their prey.
Top Fishing Destinations For Northern Pike
Northern Pike can be found in northern areas all around the globe. In Europe, Pike fishing is popular in Scandinavia, Great Britain, and many eastern European countries. Russia is also well-known for its cold lakes and plentiful Pike. In North America, many states in the northern U.S. are popular Pike havens, including New York and most of the New England states, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North and South Dakota. Alaska is a Pike angler’s paradise. And then, of course, there’s Canada.
Many provinces in Canada boast excellent Northern Pike fishing and northern Canada, in particular, is renowned for its cold, pristine lakes and untouched wilderness. Anglers seeking a truly world-class Pike fishing experience often set their sights on northern Canadian fly-in fishing destinations where fish are plentiful, virtually unimpacted by fishing pressure (the changes that fish populations and bodies of water undergo as a result of increased fishing activity), and able to live long, healthy lives and grow to unbelievable sizes.
Munroe Lake, which is located where taiga meets tundra, just south of the Manitoba-Nunavut border, offers an unparalleled environment for Northern Pike (and many other fish species) to thrive. Plentiful trophy Pike cruise the depths beneath its surface ready to devour prey or a strategically presented lure or baited hook.
Not sure what gear to invest in for a successful Pike fishing venture? We’ve provided some essential tips below:
Essential Gear For Northern Pike Fishing
When it comes to gearing up for Northern Pike fishing in Canada, it’s vital to remember that Pike aren’t always predictable and that there’s no single guaranteed rod, lure, or bait that will catch you the big one every single time. But that’s part of the allure. Pike fishing is all about understanding the species you’re trying to catch and experimenting until you find the tackle, tools, and techniques that work best in any given situation.
That being said, there are definitely some go-to tips, tricks, tools, and tackle you should have in your arsenal before heading out on the water in search of a record-setting Jackfish. Below are some gear recommendations we’ve put together based on our years of experience successfully reeling in massive Northern Pike on Munroe Lake.
Rods, Reels, & Line
For Pike fishing, a medium to heavy 213-244 cm / 7 or 8-foot rod is a great starting point. Load it up with a 7-18 kg / 15-40 lbs line, depending on the size of Pike you expect to hook and whether or not you plan to fish in weedy areas where there’s a higher likelihood of getting snagged on vegetation, and you’ll be well on your way.
At Munroe Lake Lodge, our clients frequently ask whether we prefer braided or monofilament line for Pike fishing and the answer is that both can have their advantages. We usually recommend braid when fishing with deadbait and monofilament when trolling. Make a decision based on the type of fishing you plan to do that day or rely on the expertise of our guides and the extensive selection of fishing equipment provided here at Munroe Lake Lodge. We recommend setting your drag to approximately 8 kg / 18 lbs for Pike.
One essential consideration when fishing for Northern Pike is their razor-like teeth, which can cut through just about anything—skin, flesh, and fishing line. Both to avoid the disappointment of losing a Pike due to a severed line and to ensure that you don’t leave a fish permanently hooked, it is strongly recommended to outfit your setup with a fluorocarbon or steel leader, depending on your preference. A 46 cm / 18” leader should do the trick.
Lures & Baits
Northern Pike are aggressive ambush hunters that will strike on a wide variety of different lures depending on the location, season, time of day, and presentation. With that in mind, there are certain lures and baits that you shouldn’t be without when you’re on the water looking to draw the attention of a giant Pike. We’ve outlined some of our favourites below. But before we get to that, let’s take a minute to talk about hooks.
Over the years at Munroe Lake Lodge, we’ve found that keeping it simple by using #4 to #6 treble hooks for Pike fishing is the way to go. Even the largest trophy fish can be brought in on a smaller hook than you might expect, and when it comes time to unhook your catch (sometimes a whole second battle in itself), a streamlined setup is often the most efficient. Some anglers even prefer to replace treble hooks with single hooks to keep things as straightforward as possible and maximize time for photo ops rather than spending precious minutes disentangling tackle. The choice, of course, is yours.
Spoons
Spoons are perhaps the most well-known lures for Pike fishing. Northern Pike are famously attracted to bright, flashy spoons and Canadian favourites include the classic five of diamonds, red and white, and Perch colours. At Munroe Lake Lodge, we’ve also had a lot of success with the Johnson Silver Minnow and the Dardevle Devle Dog, as well as many others. In addition, some anglers like to add a white rubber twister onto one treble hook tine to add interest.
Johnson's Silver Minnow
Dardevle Devle Dog
When selecting spoons for Pike fishing, we recommend staying within the 64-76 mm / 2 ½”-3” range. Spoons of this size are attractive to the biggest monsters, but also not so large that they’ll discourage Pike of other sizes from striking. Keeping lures within this size range can make for a satisfying and totally action-packed day on the water where one or more trophy Pike is still the ultimate goal.
Other Lures
Spoons may be one of the go-tos for Northern Pike fishing, but there are also plenty of other lures and baits you can try. If the fish aren’t striking spoons or you’re looking to change up the pace, explore one or more of the options below:
Spinners - Spinners emulate a bait fish in distress and often attract attention, especially when presented from above. Pike have a sensitive lateral line, so selecting a spinner that creates vibrations can often draw interest. In lighter, clearer conditions, go with bright yellows, whites, and even chartreuse. In lower-light conditions, consider darker colours. At Munroe Lake Lodge, we are big fans of the Blue Fox Vibrax presented slowly and with a variable rate of retrieval.
Jerkbait, Crankbait, Swimbait - Jerkbait, crankbait, and swimbait lures are all meant to mimic the bait fish that Northern Pike naturally cruise the depths for and all of them can attract Pike strikes when used with proper technique. Our guides can offer advice on specific lures to try based on the season, time of day, and weather conditions.
Deadbait - Northern Pike have an almost insatiable appetite, so putting some deadbait on your hook is always a promising option. At Munroe Lake, we’ve had Pike strike on Minnows and other deadbait with regularity. Chat with our knowledgeable guides for day-to-day insights into bait selection.
Clothing & Safety Gear
When it comes to dressing for Pike fishing and staying safe on the water, there are certain essential items you’ll want to have. These include:
Warm layers
Waterproof shoes
Gloves for fish handling
Long-nose pliers
Jaw spreader and/or fish lip gripper
Larger rubber landing net
At Munroe Lake Lodge, we provide all fishing equipment. Check out our What to Bring Fishing page for more information on what to pack.
Proven Techniques For Catching Northern Pike
Northern Pike fishing is all about experimentation and flexibility, but starting with some solid strategies will save you time and energy on the water. Here’s the best advice we’ve compiled over years of successful trophy fishing on Munroe Lake:
Read the Environment - Use aerial maps, depth maps, and a high-quality fishfinder to gain a comprehensive understanding of the body of water you’re fishing. Seek out inlets, bays, coves, drop-offs, weed beds, and areas with submerged structure such as sunken trees or logs.
Casting Techniques - Fan-style casting can always help to ensure that you’re thoroughly covering a promising area. If near a weed line or submerged structure, we recommend casting past it and slowly reeling in along its edge. Pike quickly lose interest in a stalled lure, so retrieve actively. Let your spoon flutter and fall to imitate an injured fish and/or jerk your line to draw attention with other types of lures.
Trolling - Trolling along the edges of weed beds, drop-offs, or submerged structure can be a great way to find the action, but getting the right depth is key, so keep experimenting until you get your first strike. When trolling, we recommend using a slightly heavier rod and setting your drag higher in preparation for bigger fish.
Jigging - Jigging for Pike is often a technique used when ice fishing, but it can be effective in other seasons as well. Target the edges of deeper weed lines, and when a Pike hits, try dropping the tip of your rod momentarily before setting the hook hard.
Fly Fishing - Fly fishing for Northern Pike is an art unto itself and an incredible way to experience the power of a topwater attack. A steel or fluorocarbon leader and quality drag system are still recommended and flies such as the Whistler, Game Changer, Tsunami, and Deceiver can offer a great starting point.
Tips & Strategies For Successful Pike Fishing
We’ve covered quite a bit of information about Northern Pike and how to successfully catch them, so here’s a brief recap of the most actionable tips to get you started:
To locate monster Pike, look for cold bodies of water without a lot of fishing pressure.
Drop-offs, weed beds, and submerged structure are usually excellent starting points.
Use a medium to heavy rod with braided or monofilament line, a #4-#6 treble or single hook, and drag set for about 8 kg /18 lbs.
The most classic Pike lure is a spoon, but spinners and other lures and baits can also be highly effective.
Casting, trolling, and jigging techniques can all be used to attract trophy Pike.
Stay flexible and remember that Pike fishing is all about experimenting and finding the right location and strategy on any given day!
Regulations & Ethical Fishing Practices
Every province/state and district has its own Pike fishing regulations, so make sure to educate yourself about the laws and best practices in the area where you’re located. In Manitoba, an annual fishing licence is required for sport fishing anywhere in the province and can be purchased online or directly from Munroe lake Lodge.
In Manitoba, sport anglers can keep a maximum of 4 Northern Pike per day and none of them can exceed 75 cm / 30”. Barbed hooks must never be attached to your line (though they can be in your tackle box on the water), and live bait is not allowed in the Northeast Division, where Munroe Lake is located.
Guided Fishing Tours & Experiences
When you hire an experienced guide, you not only increase your odds of reeling in a trophy Northern Pike, but you also equip yourself with valuable knowledge and skills and have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of a new body of water with a local expert. At Munroe Lake Lodge, we are proud to work with exceptional local guides, many of whom have been with us for years—they’ll help you make the most of your time at Munroe Lake with Pike fishing memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
To learn more about the exceptional guided fly-in fishing packages we offer at Munroe Lake Lodge, we invite you to contact us directly today!
Planning Your Pike Fishing Trip
Whether you’re headed to your local fishing hole or all the way up to world-class Munroe Lake, proper planning will ensure the best possible experience and outcomes. With all of the information provided in this post, you should be ready to gather your gear, locate promising Pike hot spots, and try out a variety of high-potential techniques and strategies to reel in the big one. What are you waiting for? It’s time to stop reading and start planning when and where to get out on the water!
Stories & Testimonials From Pike Anglers
Conclusion
Ready to experience the rugged beauty of northern Manitoba’s pristine wilderness and the trophy Northern Pike fishing of your dreams? The team at Munroe Lake Lodge is ready and waiting to make it happen. Contact us today to learn more and book your adventure!
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