Pike Behavior and Advice

[Leo MTB]

Hey guys, long time listener, first time caller. I've been reading your threads for quite some time and your wealth of knowledge on pike fishing is awesome. I'm a biologist/ school teacher with a degree in animal science and ever since I started fishing for pike on the Passaic two years ago I've been completely obsessed. Catching a 40 incher on my kayak is like nothing I've ever experienced!

Anyway, I have some questions regarding water level changes and how it affects pike fishing. I usually follow the water level and temperature gauges, and have had success between 12-14 ft. on the Pine Brook gauge. My question is, do any of you fish the river when the water level jacks up to 15 ft. and above or does the fishing completely shut off?

Just wondering if you have any advice or if it's even worth heading out after decent rains. So curious where the fish go, I wish I could put tracking devices on these critters to find out where they hang out after a rain.

Also, I found that the stretches of river that were super abundant the first year are completely different the following year. Do you all experience the same thing? I explore many stretches of river but was wondering if every year you have to hit all the spots all over again to find where they're hanging out.

Thanks for any advice you can give me and thanks for continually posting such great content!

[bulletbob]

Pike are like any other fish.. They like cover, access to food, and temperature.. Food trumps all other concerns.. Any fish anywhere will always alter its behavior to an extent for food.. They will move off cover, off ledges,out of weeds, into cooler or warmer water than what they prefer for food...

If you are doing well over time in 14 feet lets say, and the water comes up a foot in this good area, and the fishing gets poor, I doubt depth has anything to do with it.. Its more likely the food supply the fish were used to has moved on, or perhaps the temp dropped, etc.. Water clarity is also a consideration with any Esox.. The are ambush predators, and I have never done well with any member of the Esox in turbid water..

Pike also shut down like any other fish during passing cold fronts as well.. Don't ask me how the stupid fish can feel the air pressure change, but they can, and that will shut down many fish really fast... I usually don't even bother fishing during or for a day or so after a cold front..

Often a good rain indicates a front has passed, and yes that can often kill fishing for a few days.. Not sure thats the issue in your case, but its worth considering.

As far as year to year, all I can say is that in my 60+ years of fishing, I have found that in rivers/streams and creeks, abundance can vary from incredible to non existent from one year to the next. So many variables in moving water compared to lakes... In rivers I start where I have always caught fish, but when the aren't there, I tend to move to other areas.. River Pike are somewhat different than lake Pike.. River Pike seldom have the abundant weed cover that lake dwelling Pike have.. I have caught them and Muskies in odd places in rivers such as shallow rocky Smallmouth Bass habitat without a weed anywhere within miles... Also in 60 feet down in 100 feet of water in big lakes with NO weeds.. Why were they there??.. Food...

In the Passaic I would imagine Pike eat stuff like small Carp, Suckers, whatever good size minnows are there, not to mention frogs, birds, whatever small mammals they can grab, ducklings etc...
It may be overly simplistic, but a predator like Pike will be around other life that it can exploit as food.

If there is a lack of suitable prey in an area of a river system, the Pike will find a spot that has what its looking for...

Here's a good read on Pike, and how and what they see.... bob

https://thefisherieslab.com/2018/08/...its-important/

[thmyorke1]

Like you said, I too tend to find fish easier when the water is low within the river bank. Once it floods over the riverbank onto the floodplain, which it does so easily with even a light rainfall, the pike can disperse greatly. Suddenly there's a lot more areas the fish can spread out into.

Next time you see a dry shallow creek/cove when the water is low, maybe consider going to that area when the water rises. Even the slow parts of the river sort of get a swift current when it's high and I bet pike are shifting into those calm spots along with all the food they're looking for.

Also a 40 inch pike is great i hope you took a picture of that

[Leo MTB]

Bob, thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. That was a lot of useful information for me and I think it will guide me in the right direction. I'll make it a point to look out for areas that have enough food for pike. Also, many thanks on the article as well, I'll definitely take a look at that.

Thom Yorke, Radiohead is in my opinion one of the best bands ever. I often look for those creek beds so I'll give those areas an extra look if I'm on the water when its high. As for that monster pike, I was unable to get a photo. I was on my kayak fishing by myself and this thing was thrashing in the net between my legs. Sucker flipped out of the boat before I could compose myself. 40 inches is an estimate b/c I have a tape measure on my paddle and this thing was bigger than my leg. It towed me back and forth across the river for like 10 minutes until I could finally net it. I was friggen shaking after that, so exciting the image is burned into my head.

Can't wait to get back on the water. I've been logging the conditions every time I go out and hopefully with your advice, I'll be more efficient at catching these beasts! Thanks for your help guys!

-Leo