Northern Pike with a demeanour unmatched, are one of the most aggressive and hardest fighting freshwater
game fish.  Pike are abundant in Wawang Lake and many guests have caught the fish of their dreams here!

The Ontario record Northern Pike weighed 42.12 pounds!  Wawang Lake's record is 38 1/2 pounds - well over 50 inches

Northern Pike Catch & Release Facts

Tips on Releasing Fish

Most pike average 3 - 8 pounds, and, many trophy pike in the 40" or 20 lb plus class are caught each season.  We've had groups from 4 or more all catch a 40"+ northern during the week of their stay.

Ontario has a slot size limit of 27.5 - 35.4 inches, pike in this length range must be released. However, our lake policy is no fish over 27.5" are to be taken out of the lake.  Northern Pike fishing season is open year round.

Early season pike are found near their spawning grounds in shallow weedy bays close to creeks and rivers. Northern summer and fall habitat consists of weed lines, points and humps.

Generally early spring and late fall produce the largest fish, however on Wawang Lake the large northern are caught all season long, and in 2006 Wawang Lake was ranked # 3 trophy lake in Ontario.

Casting or trolling over weed beds and along weed lines is a popular method to catch these aggressive monsters.

WHAT TO USE

Think bright colors when fishing for these jaw snapping predators. Your tackle should include a wide range of artificial lures including:

• Tandem spinner baits in the 3/8 to 1 ounce size with gold, silver or orange blades matched with white or florescent skirts.
• Larger spoons, including the five of diamonds and red/white Daredevil are a Canadian tradition.  Include a bronze spoon with an orange stripe.
• Inline spinners such as the Mepp's Musky Killer.
• Imitation minnow lures such as Rapala Husky Jerks and Storm Thunder Stick.
• Rat-L-Traps in larger sizes, emphasis on red, blue, silver and gold.
• Large jigs 3/8 - 3/4 oz tipped with 4-6 inch twister tails.
•  

A good rod and reel combination to pursue lunker gators with is a 6 - 7 ft medium heavy action rod with a bait casting reel spooled with 12 - 30 lb test line. Braided line such as Power Pro is an excellent choice with a 6 - 12" leader attaching your lure.

Under most conditions, Northern will eagerly attack just about every kind of live and artificial bait presented to them.

NOTE:  Many anglers prefer to use spinning rods and reels, which is fine andany huge pike have unintentionally been caught while jigging for walleye using lighter equipment.  It is suggested to use at least a 10 lb test line with wire leader.

Guide's Choice:   Joe Bucher's 6"- 8" Swimming Joe   Color:  Perch, Walleye, Fire tiger or Shiner
                        Joe Bucher's 4" Swimming Charlie    Color:  Perch or Walleye
                        (minimum 25 lb test line, medium action rod & titanium leaders)