Coarse Fish

Pike Fishing: Complete UK Guide

Pike are the UK’s ultimate freshwater predator: powerful, aggressive, and found in every kind of water from canals to lochs. Deadbaiting and lure fishing are the two main methods, and safe unhooking is essential with these toothy fish.

Quick Facts

Average Weight

5-15lb

UK Record

47lb 5oz, Lloyd Watson, Chew Valley Lake, 2024

Best Season

October–March

Habitat

Lakes, rivers, canals, lochs, reservoirs

Difficulty

Intermediate

Best Bait

Deadbaits (smelt, mackerel), lures, soft plastics

Step-by-Step

How to Catch Pike

A practical guide for weekend anglers: from choosing your method to landing your catch.

  1. 1

    Choose your method

    Deadbaiting is the traditional approach: a smelt or mackerel fished on the bottom or under a float. Lure fishing with soft plastics and jerkbaits is the modern method.

  2. 2

    Always use a wire trace

    This is non-negotiable. Pike have razor-sharp teeth and will bite through monofilament instantly. Use a minimum 30lb wire trace on every rig.

  3. 3

    Set up your tackle

    Deadbaiting: 12ft, 2.75-3.5lb TC rod. Lure fishing: 7-9ft casting rod, 40-80g. Both: 4000-6000 reel with 30lb+ braid.

  4. 4

    Find the right spots

    Pike ambush prey near features: reed beds, fallen trees, bridge supports, and drop-offs. In winter they move to deeper water.

  5. 5

    Unhook safely

    Lay the pike on a wet unhooking mat. Use long-nose forceps. Never lift a pike by the eye sockets or gill filaments. Handle with care and return quickly.

Where to Fish

Best Spots for Pike

Top UK venues and regions for this species.

Norfolk Broads (Hickling, Horsey Mere)
Chew Valley Lake, Somerset
View guide
Loch Lomond, Scotland
View guide
Fenland Drains
Canal pike, free fishing
View guide
Find pike fishing near you

When to Fish

Pike Fishing Season

Month-by-month guide showing the best times to target this species.

Jan

Peak

Feb

Peak

Mar

Fair

Apr

Poor

May

Poor

Jun

Fair

Jul

Fair

Aug

Fair

Sep

Good

Oct

Peak

Nov

Peak

Dec

Peak
Peak Good Fair Poor

Also of Interest

Related Species

Perch Fishing Guide

September–March

Trout Fishing Guide

March–September

Frequently Asked Questions About Pike Fishing

Deadbaits are the most popular pike bait in the UK. Smelt is the #1 choice, followed by mackerel, lamprey, and sardine. For lure fishing, paddle tail soft plastics and jerkbaits are most effective.

Yes, this is non-negotiable. Pike have razor-sharp teeth and will bite through monofilament or braid instantly. Use a minimum 30lb wire trace on every rig.

47lb 5oz, caught by Lloyd Watson from Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, in 2024.

October to March is traditional pike season. Winter is the peak, with pike at their heaviest before spawning.

Paddle tail soft plastics (15-20cm), jerkbaits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. Natural colours for clear water, firetiger for murky.

The Norfolk Broads, Chew Valley Lake in Somerset, Loch Lomond in Scotland, and the Fenland drains are outstanding pike waters.

Lay the pike on a wet unhooking mat. Open the gill cover and use long-nose forceps to remove hooks. If deeply hooked, use wire cutters.

Technically yes, but it is rarely done in the UK. Pike are almost universally returned alive. They are an apex predator vital to the ecosystem.

Log your pike catches in GilledIt

Caught a pike? Log it in GilledIt, the free fishing app built for UK anglers. Track your personal bests, see where other anglers are catching pike, and compete on weekly leaderboards.

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