Northern Pike Fishing in Cayuga County Excels in Winter

By George Fiorille

Many anglers report that the Northern Pike may just be America’s most forgotten game fish. The Northern Pike during the early to mid 1900’s was probably one of the most popular game fish in North America.

Due to the rise in popularity of fish such as bass, trout, and salmon during the past half century the favor of pike fishing has diminished. This can also be associated with the filled in wet lands destroying their spawning grounds along with the DEC failing to protect them.

Luckily for anglers who still enjoy fishing for Northern Pike, there are still an abundant number of this “toothy” game fish in Cayuga County. Waters such as Owasco Lake, Cayuga Lake, Cross Lake, Duck Lake and Lake Ontario sports quality fishing.

The Latin name for Northern Pike is Esox Lucius. In English it means fresh water wolf. Anglers who regularly pursue these unique fish sometime think pike remind them more of an alligator than a wolf.

One of the most popular methods of catching Northern Pike is by ice fishing. Unfortunately, due to global warming, ice fishing the past few years has seen few opportunities. The winter of 2024/2025 has started with cold temps and some snow so ice fishing opportunities may come back this upcoming winter season.

Anglers used to catch them by drilling a hole in the ice, lowering a minnow into the hole on a tip-up with a strike flag indicator, and waiting for a pike to take the bait. Ice fishing can be slow at times so avid ice anglers often bring food and drink to pass the time away between strikes.

If no safe ice forms again this year, you can score on Northern Pike in open water by casting lures or fishing with live bait under a bobber. Try fishing off of shore where a flat is adjacent to deeper water. If you have access to a boat and can reach deeper water, trying trolling with large stick baits to entice strikes. Pike often follows a lure a long way before striking. Try using zigs and zags, along with bursts of speed and slowdowns while trolling.

Northern Pike have provided me with some memorable experiences while fishing over the years. I have caught two that both were over 16-pounds on 4-pound test. One was while perch fishing on Owasco Lake and the second one while on Cayuga Lake trying to catch a world line class record for Landlock salmon.

Once, while reeling in a 3-pound hooked bass over the weeds in Owasco, a 4-foot-long splash blew open the water and a 20-pound plus northern tried to take my bass away. After pulling me down to my knees 3-times, he finally let go. While I reeled the bleeding bass in, the pike just floated on top of the water with his eyes out of the water gazing at me. Then he swished his tail angrily and took off.

I believe I have caught more northern pike by accident while fishing for more species than by possibly targeting the pike. My largest ever landed and released, was one estimated pushing 25-pounds plus while bass fishing on Cayuga Lake.

If the weather this winter is tolerable and you want to do some fishing, try some Northern Pike fishing in Cayuga County. Your pike trip just may provide you with memories that will get you through to spring.

Northern Pike Fishing in Cayuga County Excels in Winter

Fish On!