Fall Pike Fishing

Fall pike fishing can be both an excellent and a poor time for catching fish, depending on the conditions of the lake. Before turnover occurs, the late summer and fall season can be one of the best times for catching trophies. When a lake turns, however, this can be a difficult time of year for angling.

Lakes are comprised of layers of water that vary in temperature. The thermocline is one of the lake’s water layers that separate the water near the surface that is warm due to the sun’s rays, and the cooler, deeper water. When a lake experiences turnover, these water layers are disrupted. During autumn, rain and wind will help to churn lake water so the temperature throughout the lake is all the same. This period of upheaval in lakes is not a good time for Northern pike fishing. Not all fishing during the period of turnover is poor, however. Not all lakes turn at exactly the same time. If you are planning to fish during the turnover period in your area, fish in larger lakes. They will go through turnover later than smaller, shallower lakes.

Before turnover happens, the post-summer period also brings changes to lakes. The post-summer time will vary based on location, but it is the time of year in which the days are still warm but nighttime temperatures start to plummet. The water temperatures start to decrease as well. As mentioned, this can be an excellent time for pike fishing. One reason why you will experience more strikes is because there is less food available for these large fish. As the summer winds down, many of a lake’s baitfish have been eaten and other food supplies dwindle. Since there is less food around, it will take a famished pike longer to feel full. This is beneficial to anglers wanting to lure a hungry Northern.

Be aware of where pike are located as the water temperatures cool during autumn. Since they no longer need to seek deep waters to keep cool, they will begin to move to more shallow waters. Trolling during post-summer can prove to be extremely fruitful. The best Northern pike fishing lures to use when trolling during the fall are spinners and spoons. Do not be afraid to use large lures meant primarily for muskies during this time because they will attract large, hungry pike as well. Try to find lures that have a weighted back hook. If you are trolling fast, this will give you enough weight to keep your bait below the water’s surface.