Northern Pike Angler

How to Fish Pikes in the Weeds

March 29, 2025

How to fish pikes in weedy bays is a common question. Before showing you how, it’s important to know certain characteristics of this awesome fish.

When fishing for northern pike in Lake of the Woods, a common question tends to appear: how big do northern pike get?

Well, there’s a simple answer for this question, but there are also some aspects that need to be taken into account. And to have a better notion about how big northern pike get it’s important for you to know this information.

Without further ado, we’re answering the question of how big do northern pike get!

Average size of Northern Pikes

On average, mature pike measure between 24 to 30 inches (61 to 76 cm) and weigh roughly 4 to 10 pounds (1.8 to 4.5 kg).

As a matter of fact, these numbers stand for the typical size of northern pike, while their potential for growth can be much greater with exceptional conditions.

Without a doubt, this fish represents a nice catch when going fishing in Lake of the Woods.

Factors that influence pike size

It is important to reckon that northern pike size is greatly influenced by their nutrition and surroundings.

On top of that, pike are opportunistic feeders that may consume ducks or rats in addition to frogs and smaller fish. Therefore, they can grow larger if they count with a lot of prey.

Also, especially in colder climates, growth and metabolism rates accelerate in clean, well-oxygenated waters. Thus, larger sizes are also a result of bodies of water with lots of foliage for ambush hunting and little competition from other predators.

Their growth and their lifespan

With a lifespan of up to 25 years in the wild, northern pike have a comparatively lengthy lifespan.

As they age, their growth rate decreases, but the cumulative growth over time tends to make older fish larger. And this, of course, is a nice fact to have in mind when fishing for northern pike.

On the other hand, female pike tend to grow larger than males due to their longer maturation periods.

Tips for catching a trophy pike!

Lake of the Woods is a fantastic location for anglers looking for an amazing northern pike.

In fact, the northern lakes and rivers in this area might hide some trophy northern pike, as the cold waters and plentiful food provide the perfect environment. And as they are most active in the early spring or late autumn, these are typically the best times to target them.

Moreover, the likelihood of capturing one of these amazing creatures rises with the use of the proper methods and equipment. Therefore, you can catch one of these beautiful fish if you have the right equipment and know how to do the job.

Now you know the essential answer to how big northern pike get. Nevertheless, you must remember it’s not just about the size, but about the factors that influence it.

By taking all this information into account, you’ll be certainly be ready to fish for northern pike.

In fact, what are you waiting for? Embrace the northern pike fishing experience now!

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