UTERNorthern pike fishing in Lake Huron
In Lake Huron, northern pike peak September–October and December–May and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Jigging raps and spoons for walleye at dusk off Linwood and Bay City; perch on minnows. Check the ice — the bay breaks up fast.
Fall perch, steelhead, and St. Clair's big muskie. Perch rigs on the bay; spawn in the rivers; big muskie on St. Clair.
Northern pike in Lake Huron, month by month
- JanuaryPeakSaginaw Bay ice: walleye and perch. Jigging raps and spoons for walleye at dusk off Linwood and Bay City; perch on minnows. Check the ice — the bay breaks up fast.
- FebruaryPeakPeak ice walleye on the bay. Walleye possession is open year-round on Saginaw Bay now; Les Cheneaux whitefish and pike through the ice.
- MarchPeakSaginaw River walleye run; steelhead start up the Au Sable. Jig the river at night as the ice goes out; spawn bags on the Au Sable and the Rifle.
- AprilSpawningSpring run peaks on the rivers; St. Clair smallmouth pre-spawn. River walleye and steelhead; catch-and-release smallmouth on Lake St. Clair.
- MayPeakBay walleye trolling begins; lake trout shallow off Alpena. Crawler harnesses on the Saginaw Bay flats; lakers on the Thunder Bay reefs.
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeakKings and Atlantics up the rivers; perch on the bay. Au Sable and Thunder Bay River runs; jumbo perch on Saginaw Bay's outer flats.
- OctoberPeakFall perch, steelhead, and St. Clair's big muskie. Perch rigs on the bay; spawn in the rivers; big muskie on St. Clair.
- NovemberAround
- DecemberPeakWaiting on ice. First ice on the shallow bays — never trust Saginaw Bay early.
Where to fish northern pike near Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Port Austin
Saginaw Bay — one of the great walleye and perch fisheries in the country — the rocky Thunder Bay and Drummond Island shoals for lake trout and smallmouth, the Au Sable and Rifle river runs, and Lake St. Clair, the shallow weedy world-class water for muskie and smallmouth between Huron and Erie.
Fish Scouter charts 324 lake, 86 reservoir spots in the Lake Huron & Lake St. Clair map area — the kinds northern pike hold on.
What to use for northern pike
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 33–76°F water, best at 50–68°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch northern pike in Lake Huron?
Peak season is September–October and December–May, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Northern pike are here year-round.
Where do northern pike hold in Lake Huron?
Look on lake, river, dock / pilings — around Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Port Austin, Oscoda, Alpena, Rogers City.
What is the best bait for northern pike in Lake Huron?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners). Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
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