Ice Fishing For Pike 101: How To Catch Northerns All Winter Long

Written By: Ben Patschull Fishing
Images: Bama Breeze Fishing Charters

Winter can present a serious challenge for anglers in the Midwest who live for the fight of big freshwater fish. Panfish and trout anglers take to the ice with excitement for some of the best fishing action of the year. But for those anglers who spend their summers chasing catfish, muskies, and bass, lethargic fish and season closures make winter cabin fever just that much harder to bear. To these anglers' delight, one large species retains its insatiable appetite no matter the temperature.

The northern pike is among the most widespread fish species across the Midwest and is easiest to target. These hard-fighting heavyweights can be caught throughout the coldest parts of winter with as many baits as you can pile into your tackle box; however, using live baits under setlines is the most effective method by far.

Northern Pike Tip-Up Fishing

An angler uses a sonar unit to determine the depth of his tip-up. Using a clip-on lead depth finder weight is a cheaper alternative to establish depth.

The first manufactured tip-up hit the market nearly 100 years ago, but the idea behind the gadget has likely existed for much longer. Ice fishing has a long tradition of being a "DIY" sport, with anglers creating gear to fit their needs out of common objects. The tip-up was likely born out of this ingenuity. The original design was so successful that it has changed very little over the decades. At its simplest, the tip-up consists of a spool of line affixed to an axle with a trigger. A flag or indicator with a spring base can be flexed and set beneath the trigger. The trigger turns in unison when the spool is turned and releases the indicator, signaling that a fish has taken the bait.

Over the past century, tip-ups have retained these essential components, but countless variations have developed. For those who are new to this version of passive angling, the classic hardwood and the over-the-hole tip-ups are two styles that are the most common on the market and the most versatile. The classic hardwood tip-ups were originally made from durable wood but are now commonly made of plastic. The thin, plank-like design of these units makes them extremely packable, as well as incredibly affordable. The over-the-hole tip-ups are similar but circular to cover and insulate the open hole.

With both of these styles, the angler relies on handlining to fight the fish which can be an exciting alternative to a rod and reel. However, many anglers in recent years have been searching for an option in which a rod and reel can be used as a setline. A number of companies have jumped at the opportunity to fill this niche by developing products such as the Automatic Fisherman, Jaw Jacker, and iFish Pro. Hook setting systems (i.e., Automatic Fisherman, Jaw Jacker) use a base to hold a fishing pole and a trigger to flex the rod. When a fish takes the bait, the trigger releases the flex in the pole, and the rod tip snaps back, setting the hook. These systems can be highly effective for pike fishing and are legal in all Canadian Provinces and the U.S. States, except for Minnesota. Products like the iFish Pro mimic the auto's ability to let anglers use their favorite heavy-duty ice rods for set lines but don't set the hook when the trigger is pulled. Instead, anglers simply open the bail and release the line after the trigger is pulled and the flag springs up. Unlike the hook setting systems, these products are legal everywhere.

Northern Pike Gear & Bait For Winter Fishing

Most anglers prefer 20-40lb braided tip-up line because of the ice line's added thickness.

It doesn't take a master angler to know that northern pike has razor-sharp teeth. To avoid the heartbreak of losing your bait, rig, and a big fish, the most essential part of any pike rig is a strong leader. Many companies have perfected pre-made leaders available for purchase in various sizes and weights. The type of bait that I am using will determine the leader's style I will tie on. Most leaders are made of strong fluorocarbon or wire lines, similar to open water. I prefer fluorocarbon, as this kind of line is nearly invisible in the water and is more flexible, allowing the baitfish to swim more freely in the water. Some leaders will also include a flashy blade above the treble hook to add a bit more eye candy for the sight-feeding pike. When I am using shiners, I will avoid using leaders with blades, as I find the scales of the shiners to be bright enough to catch a predator's eye, and the reduced weight on the back of the baitfish will increase its swimming capacity. When I am using suckers for bait, I tend to reach for the blades, as these baitfish have a duller appearance and are heartier baitfish, so the added weight won't affect their liveliness. For small to medium shiners and suckers, I will use a single treble hook rig. When the pike are extra hungry, or I am targeting bigger fish, I will upsize to a large bait and tie on a double treble hook rig, placing one treble above the dorsal, and one near the tail.

Where To Find Northern Pike In The Winter

Captain Josh Slawkin of the Bama Breeze fishing charters with a Lake Michigan northern pike.

During the winter, pike can generally always be found in weedy bays (or almost anywhere you can catch panfish). On the Mississippi River, I will find pike all winter long in these backwater bays feeding along weed lines or in the vegetation. When I set my tip-ups, I will start by drilling a line of holes from deep to shallow. Depending on the day, the fish could be concentrated outside of the weeds, along the edges, or even far into the weed patches, so it's important to identify the depth with the highest concentration of feeding fish.

When I set my lines in the deeper water (six to ten feet), I run the baits about two or three feet off the bottom. When I am set closer to the weeds, I will run my bait about a foot or two below the ice to ensure that the baitfish don't become entangled with the vegetation. Once I've located the daily bite, I'll concentrate my additional tip-ups around the target depth in a square. I'll often drill one more hole in the middle of the square and rip a rattle bait, a tactic that often attracts predators to the surrounding live baits.

The northern pike bite can be productive throughout the winter and can deliver some of the most exciting days on the ice. With pike being the dominant predator in a high percentage of lakes and rivers across the ice belt, no matter where you live, you're likely within a few miles of a pike hotspot. By maximizing your fish-catching potential through the setline techniques outlined in this article, you'll be able to dial in these mega-predators on your water and be chasing flags in no time.