What Do Northern Pike Eat?

When going Northern pike fishing in Lake of the Woods for the first time, an important question appears: what do Northern pike eat?

And for sure, in order to have a successful catch, knowing about this really matters. That’s because, when you’re trying to fish Northern pike, using their favorite meals can help a lot.

For that reason, today at Totem Resorts, we’re giving you a little insight about everything you can find in the menu of Northern pike!

A carnivore menu!

To answer what Northern pike eat, we must start by saying they are strictly carnivorous. As a matter of fact, from the moment they hatch, they begin hunting.

When pike are young, they start by feeding on zooplankton and aquatic insects. As they grow, they go for larger prey. And by the time a pike reaches 10 inches (25 cm), it’s already capable of taking down fish nearly half its size.

In their diet we can find fish, such as perch, minnows, suckers, shiners, and even smaller pike. Besides, amphibians like frogs and salamanders are also part of their prey. And believe it or not, but small mammals like muskrats and birds like ducklings aren't safe either.

Places where they hunt

Pike are ambush predators. Therefore, they prefer habitats with dense vegetation, submerged logs, or rocky structures where they can lie in wait.

In addition, the camouflage of their skin helps them for this. That’s because with it, they blend into their surroundings until prey comes close enough for them to strike.

Once they attack, it’s fast and brutal. In fact, they often swallow prey headfirst to avoid injury from fins or claws.

Size matters for pike

Northern pike’s diet is significantly influenced by its size.

For instance, a 20-pound pike can devour a 2-pound bass without any problems, whereas a 5-pound pike might just eat shiners and perch.

In real terms, they can eat prey up to one-third of their body length. And that’s because of the extreme flexibility of their jaws and stomachs.

Their feeding behavior

Pike feed when they see a good opportunity. Therefore, they rely on stealth and surprise rather than long-distance chasing.

Due to that, dawn and dusk are the moments of the day in which they feed the most. This is because during these moments light levels are low and prey is less vigilant

Furthermore, they feed less regularly and their metabolism slows down in the winter. However, they will still attack if the chance presents itself.

Know what they eat, know how to catch them

Knowing what pike eat is essential for having success when fishing. Like that, you can use this knowledge in favor when fishing for them. Moreover, using lures with realistic profiles, irregular movements, and vibrant colors are also essential to attract them.

Besides, working with live bait such as suckers or minnows can also do the trick very well.

So, don’t ask “what do Northern pike eat?” again, because now you know it. Just use this in favor, and catch some pike in Lake of the Woods!