Pike are often fished for year round in states and provinces that don’t experience a prolonged ice out period. However, some anglers still choose to fish them under the ice during the winter.

Musky are often fished hard during the winter, spring, and fall. Most guides and outfitters do not fish for muskies when water temps climb over 70 degrees F because the fish are at greater risk of dying from unnecessary stress from angling.

Northern Pike can be quite easy to trick and are a great warm-up species for anglers wishing to target musky.

Muskellunge or “Musky” are much more difficult to catch, earning the nickname, the fish of 10,000 casts. Musky have been studied extensively and exhibit signs of learned behavior and intentional avoidance of anglers.

Northern Pike are found in many lakes and rivers north of the Mason Dixon as well as parts of Northern Europe, Russia, and Alaska.

Muskellunge can be found in the upper Mississippi River drainage, the Great Lakes Region, all the way up to Quebec and Manitoba.

For Fly Anglers, we recommend 10-12 weight rods, with both floating and intermediate lines.