Northern Pike Fishing

During our first year of owning the camp we knew we had something special due to the number of Northern Pike in the 40 to 42-inch range that were being caught and released by our guests. Annie Howard holds our current camp record at 47 inches with a girth of 22 inches. The water system has produced Northern Pike that are much larger. We ask all our guests to handle trophy Northern Pike with care and release them unharmed so we have lots of trophies in the future.

Northern Pike are the apex predators of Ontario's northern lakes and one of the most popular freshwater game fish in North America. Their size and ferocity attracts fisherpersons from all over the world including an ever increasing number of anglers from the United Kingdom and Russia, where Pike fishing is extremely popular but they don't have the opportunities that are available in Ontario.

Northern Pike are found almost everywhere in the northern hemisphere. The question many people ask is why they get so big in Ontario. There are many factors. There will be different genetic variation from region to region. One of the genetic traits would be size and growth-rate potential. There is less fishing pressure in remote areas of Northern Ontario and most trophy pike get released. The availability of prime habitat including an abundance of feeder fish such as Chub, Sucker, Whitefish, Walleye, Lake Herring and Cisco keeps the Northern Pike well fed so lack of nutrition is never a factor. The main reason why Northern Ontario has such large numbers of trophy Northern Pike is water quality.

In the south Northern Pike rarely live past ten years old or exceed ten pounds because the warmer water produces more parasites and diseases. Higher levels of suspended particles in the water and alga blooms create a magic carpet for pathogens to infect Northern Pike as well as other fish. In northern Ontario most water is cool and sparkling clean, with the exception of water exposed to large iron deposits. With high saturation of dissolved iron in the water you get that rusty Walleye Wine water. It's still very clean but does not appear to be. In Ontario's lakes and rivers Northern Pike can live to fifty years old and in extreme cases can live much longer.



There is a good number of Northern Pike everywhere you go in Murray Lake. Because Murray Lake is a clear lake you will also find a lot of nice size pike down a little deeper off sunken ridges and other structure waiting to ambush Walleyes and other fish. If you like to eat Fresh Northern Pike then in our lake it will only take a few minutes to catch lunch. Northern Pike are everywhere and are common in the 2 to 6-pound range. Even though they are common up to 6 pounds guest do commonly run into Northern Pike in the 7 to 12 pound range when fishing areas with high populations of pike.

Fresh Pike for shore lunch is really nice but most guests that come to Murray Lake are looking for the big monsters that are lurking in the shadows; waiting for some unsuspecting fish to lower its guard. Throughout the summer guests catch and release quite a few Northern Pike in the 15 to 20 pound range and on occasion Northern Pike exceeding 45 inches and close to 25 pounds get caught. We did have one group this year 2014 catch two Northern Pike over 20 pounds, and released them. With catch-&-release attitudes dominating the sport-fishing culture these days every year we have guests reporting more and more trophy fish.

If you are going to target trophy Northern Pike you need to focus on deep drop-offs, as well as any narrow areas where Walleyes and other baitfish are migrating through. Quietly fishing the mouth of any of the feeder creeks can produce Northern Pike in decent numbers. The Northern Pike are everywhere. Covering ground and working the structure is how you will be rewarded.

If you are going to target trophy Northern Pike you need to focus on points leading into weedy bays, open areas between thick weeds and the shore as well as any narrow areas where Walleyes and other baitfish are migrating through. Making your way to the west and of the lake and quietly fishing the mouth of the narrows leading to McMurty Lake will produce the size of Trophy Northern Pike you are looking for. You also are free to take off into McMurty Lake and try some of the really nice weed plains and wild rice beds. The Northern Pike are everywhere. Covering ground and working the structure is how you will be rewarded.

Northern Pike Photo Galleries
Northern Pike Fishing Tips & Tactics
Lake Maps
Northern Pike Fishing Regulations