Esocidae (Pike) • Wisconsin Game Fish

Northern Pike Fishing in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's water wolf — aggressive pike that ambush baits from weed lines and crush paddle tails. Country Cave Baits injection-pours premium soft plastics built for the northern pike that swim Wisconsin's lakes and rivers.

Esox lucius

About Northern Pike in Wisconsin

Northern Pike — the 'water wolf' — are Wisconsin's most aggressive predator, found in cool lakes, flowages and river backwaters across the state. They lie in wait along weed lines, points and current breaks, then explode on anything that crosses their path, making them one of the most exciting fish to catch on moving baits.

Pike feed heavily on baitfish, so swimming a paddle tail or working a fluke along weed edges and over submerged vegetation is a deadly approach. Their toothy jaws require a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader, but the explosive strikes are worth the extra gear. Spring and fall are prime; summer pushes pike to deeper, cooler weed edges.

Country Cave Baits' paddle tails and flukes are injection-poured in Fall River, Wisconsin with durable plastic that stands up to pike's teeth. Their swimming action calls pike from a distance and triggers the reaction strikes that make northern fishing so addictive.

Habitat

Weed lines, points, current breaks, submerged vegetation and cooler water in lakes, flowages and river backwaters.

Best Seasons

Spring (April–May)
Early summer (June)
Fall (September–November)

Family

Esocidae (Pike)

WI DNR Reference

Best Baits for Northern Pike

Our top-recommended Country Cave Baits for targeting northern pike in Wisconsin. Each is injection-poured in Fall River, WI and shipped fresh to your door.

4 Inch Skinny Paddle Tail — best bait for Northern Pike fishing in Wisconsin

$5.75

Swim & thump

4 Inch Skinny Paddle Tail

A slim-profile 4-inch paddle tail that swims with a seductive kick on a steady retrieve. Perfect for swim jigs, spinnerbait trailers, or a weighted swimbait hook through grass and around docks.

View 4 Inch Skinny Paddle Tail

5 Inch Fluke — best bait for Northern Pike fishing in Wisconsin

$4.95

Weightless wild action

5 Inch Fluke

Our 5-inch fluke dances with an erratic, darting action on a weightless Texas rig. The soft, slim body glides and slashes through the water column, imitating a fleeing baitfish that bass simply cannot resist.

View 5 Inch Fluke

5 Inch Stick Worm — best bait for Northern Pike fishing in Wisconsin

$5.95

The versatile workhorse

5 Inch Stick Worm

Our 5-inch stick worm is injection-poured with a soft plastic that shimmies on the fall and drives bass wild. Perfect for wacky rigging, Texas rigging, or a weightless presentation in shallow cover.

View 5 Inch Stick Worm

Fishing Techniques for Northern Pike

Swim a Paddle Tail Along Weed Lines

Swim a 4 Inch Skinny Paddle Tail on a wire leader along deep weed edges. The thumping tail draws explosive strikes from pike lying in ambush.

Work a Fluke Over Vegetation

Twitch a 5 Inch Fluke weightless over the tops of submerged weeds. Its erratic darting action triggers pike cruising for an easy meal.

Use a Wire Leader

Always rig a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader for pike. Their teeth will clip standard bass fluorocarbon in an instant.

Ice Fishing for Northern Pike

Northern Pike are a prime hard-water target in Wisconsin. Explore our ice fishing lakes guide, tips, and injection-poured baits built for the ice.

Shop Baits for Northern Pike Explore Wisconsin Lakes

Wisconsin Lakes with Northern Pike

These Wisconsin fisheries hold northern pike — click any lake for a full guide, species list and recommended baits.

Lake Mendota

South-Central

Dane County • 9,740 acres

Northern Pike Fishing in Wisconsin

About Northern Pike in Wisconsin

Habitat

Best Seasons

Family

Best Baits for Northern Pike

4 Inch Skinny Paddle Tail

5 Inch Fluke

5 Inch Stick Worm

Fishing Techniques for Northern Pike

Swim a Paddle Tail Along Weed Lines

Work a Fluke Over Vegetation

Use a Wire Leader

Wisconsin Lakes with Northern Pike

Lake Mendota

Lake Monona

Green Bay

Sturgeon Bay / Door County

Lake Geneva

Lake Delavan

Chippewa Flowage

Lake Superior (Chequamegon Bay)

Torch Lake (Northwoods)

Lake Kegonsa

Beaver Dam Lake

Fox Lake

Lake Sinissippi

Lake Wisconsin

Devils Lake

Nagawicka Lake

Pike Lake

Tichigan Lake

Silver Lake

Park Lake

Lake Koshkonong

Lake Wingra

Silver Creek

Lake Delton

Lake Michigan

Oak Creek

Menomonee River

Elkhart Lake

Crystal Lake

Clark Lake

Root River

Lake Onalaska

Black River

Half Moon Lake

Chippewa River

Otter Lake

Fish for Northern Pike Near These Wisconsin Cities

Other Wisconsin Fish Species

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Walleye

Crappie

Bluegill

Yellow Perch