Northern pike is a popular choice with anglers, but you need to know what northern pike eat if you want to get better at catching them.
These toothy fish have some seriously sharp and spiky teeth, and that allows these opportunistic predators to target all manner of prey.
So what do northern pike eat? Read on to learn everything you need to know about their favorite foods, eating habits, and what the best baits are for catching northern pike.
What Do Pike Eat?
When it comes down to what northern pike eat, some of the food choices for pike will depend on where they live. Pike have an extensive range and are indigenous in the following bodies of water:
- Atlantic
- Arctic
- Pacific
- Great Lakes
- Mississippi River basin (from Alaska to Pennsylvania)
- Missouri
- Nebraska
They are found in most parts of the United States due to stocking and have become a favorite sport fish in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Due to their aggressive nature and appetite for fish up to half their size, they have been known to put other species in danger.
Avid Appetites
Once a northern pike reaches maturity, which can be up to 27 inches long and ten pounds, they are capable of preying on many other species of fish. Indeed, these apex predators can swim up to ten miles per hour, putting them at the top of the fish food chain.
In terms of their diet, a pike needs to consume a lot of food to fuel their large bodies. But what do pike fish eat? Pike are not picky eaters and will attack just about anything smaller than them, including their own species. Their diet includes:
- Bugs and insects
- Frogs and other amphibians
- Crustaceans
- Mice and small mammals
- Waterfowl and small birds
- Any fish smaller than themselves
These skilled hunters will sometimes lie still for hours, waiting for the prey to wander close. Once they detect the prey, the pike attacks with ferociousness and accuracy.
What Is the Favorite Food of a Northern Pike?
There are examples of northern pike feeding on ducks. So these insatiable hunters consider anything that moves their current favorite once it is their mealtime.
Insects and minnows are favorites of young pike. As pikes grow, they begin to hunt larger prey like frogs and crayfish. As they reach adulthood, nothing that touches water is beyond their hunting scope. Pike have been known to take down small waterfowl as well as a mammal as large as a muskrat.
Their willingness to take down large prey has led to several instances of choking to death on food that was too big for them to swallow, giving credence to the phrase: biting off more than you can chew.
What Bait Is Best for Northern Pike?
With the answer to “what do northern pike eat?” on hand, your thoughts might be turning to the bait. Since northern pike have indiscriminate feeding habits, there are plenty of lures that will get the job done. The bait you choose will depend on what environment you are fishing in and what size of fish you want to land.
Live bait is another option, as their motion will trigger the natural instincts of the pike. Panfish, like bluegill, make excellent bait.
Best Lures for Pike
What are the best lures for pike?
The following are heavy hitters that have proven successful with many anglers.
Rapala X Rap Peto
Anyone who has used this lure can attest to its efficiency. The 14 cm model is perfect for northern pike with a good tail kick and wide action. What’s more, you can work this lure at any retrieval speed. This lure has the durability of a hard bait with the suppleness of plastic, making it a must-have for any tackle box.
Westin Shad Teez
The Shad Teez is designed with a deep body and wide tail to simulate an enticing belly flashing action, making for tantalizing prey. Its wounded action will draw in northern pike. The 18 cm version is suitable for shallows by incorporating a shallow screw and stinger, while it goes deep thanks to a corkscrew jighead.
Strike Pro Miuras Mouse
The Strike Pro incorporates a blend of plastic and bucktail to make it irresistible to northern pike. Its flat nose and deer hair mane move a lot of water while pulsating in a jerking jigging style, making it easily spotted in even murky water.
Strike Pro Buster Jerk
A classic and a perennial favorite for new and experienced pike anglers. This lure is especially effective in the early and late seasons when the water is colder. Made from durable plastic and internal rattler beads. This lure is most effective when retrieved slowly with intermittent pauses at a depth of three to six feet.
Rapala X-Rap Otus
This time-proven lure is available in a variety of colors and has a detachable matched curl tail. Each bait comes with two easily replicable tails.
With a slow sink rate, it’s ideal for cold and deep water by slowing the retrieve rate. Reel it in slowly to create an attractive side-to-side body roll.
Super Shad Rap
Since the early 1980s, this versatile lure has been an effective choice for catching pike. Imitating the patterns and colors of their favorite prey, this lure is a favorite worldwide. Utilize its high buoyancy body to retrieve on the surface allowing this lure to create an enticing wake with its roll and wobble.
Westin Swim
Westin Glidebait is a favorite amongst pros who are teaching beginners to catch pike. It can be used with a slow or fast retrieve to create the unique curve swimming action of wounded bait, which is so desirable to the pike. This lure offers anglers lots of choices, coming in a wide selection of sizes, colors, and sink rates.
Best Live Bait for Pike
Although lures are best for northern pike, live bait fish are also an effective option. A northern pike is a voracious feeder and at the top of the food chain with a wide variety of living animals making up its diet.
The best options are bluegill, yellow perch, shad, alewives, suckers, and ciscos. Smaller pike will also go after frogs, golden shiners, creek chubs, and fathead minnows.
However, do your research, as live bait is illegal in many waterways. In addition, pike will devour live bait resulting in a gut hook which makes a healthy catch-and-release hard.
What Eats Northern Pike in a Lake?
An adult northern pike has few natural predators. Young pike fish are common prey for minnows and waterfowl. Adult northern pike will also eat their young, but once they reach adult size, they will be at the top of the freshwater food chain. A well-informed angler is the most formidable natural predator when they use the proper technique and lures.
Final Thoughts
A northern pike is considered one of the top freshwater game fish. They are natural and voracious predators which makes fishing for them challenging and fun. These sharp-toothed fish have an appetite for just about anything that moves.
Once the pike reaches adulthood, its scope of food choices will range from waterfowl and muskrat to any fish or pond critters up to half their size. All pike have such a variety of food choices that choosing a lure is easy.
Some lures have proven track records as they simulate the species of fish that commonly attract pike. Fake frogs and mice can also be used.
You may fish with live bait in areas that don’t prohibit its use. Now you know the answers to what do northern pike eat, your next step is to start fishing!
