Proven Patterns for Giant Northern Pike

Pike fishing is addictive because of the sheer fierceness of an attack on particular fly patterns.

There is little arguing that northern pike are the apex predators in many lakes and rivers in Northern Ontario! They dominate! They also can grow to immense sizes with a trophy fish considered once they breech the 40-inch mark! It is possible to catch and release fish in excess of four feet in Ontario waters! What makes pike fishing so addictive to many is the sheer violence in the way they attack a well (and not so well) presented fly! 

Here are a few proven patterns for targeting northern pike in Northern Ontario! 

Weedman’s Slider

Fished wet or on the surface, the Weedman’s Slider is a deadly pattern for northern pike. The flash and movement of the fly body attract fish from afar. The deerhair head, large and inviting imitates a significant piece of baitfish protein. Black and orange, chartreuse, and natural colours like olive and brown match many of the baitfish pike feed on. 

Weedman's-Slider

Fathead

The Fathead, in black and orange, black and red and chartreuse is a proven pattern to pike anglers. Fished wet, it’s a versatile fly to be fished throughout the water column. A slow sinker almost suspended this fly very well imitating a wounded baitfish.

fathead

Game Changer

This fly literally changed the game for multi-species fly anglers. For northern pike, trout patterns, white and black are excellent choices. The fly consists of multiple sections of articulation allowing the fly to “swim” in a very natural presentation. The holographic eye doesn’t seem to hurt either. Consider marking the fly up with a permanent marker in red or black to imitate an injury. Fish this fly wet throughout the water column. 

game_changer_chocklett_rainbow

Salty Jack

A basic topwater fly, this fly is fished as a tube fly meaning the hook is actually located outside the body of the fly. Fished with a strip-strip pause pattern, pike looks at this fly as a wounded mammal, baitfish, or bird. The tailfeathers are a nice addition to the presentation the takes are violent and addictive! 

Salty Jack

Clouser Minnow

One of the most versatile flies ever created, the Clouser minnow can be fished either weighted or not, with an infinite number of colour combinations. Some proven colours are blue over white, chartreuse over white, and yellow over chartreuse to name a few. The colour combinations and ways to fish this fly are countless. Imitating a baitfish, when fishing a Clouser minnow, it’s best to well understand the natural forage pike will be feeding on and match first the size profile, then attempt to match the colour. Bring Clouser minnows of all sizes in your fly box. They really are a must-have fly to have in your arsenal! 

clouser
About Mark Melnyk

Currently, Mark is the host and producer of The New Fly Show. With a passion of fly fishing, the shows goal is to help both novice and veteran fly fishers everywhere by giving them a top-quality fly fishing series that will make them better anglers. 

Recommended Articles

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

Karl of Extreme Angler recommends must do walleye lakes in Ontario.

Spring Perch Fishing

Use These Tips on Your Next Ontario Fishing Trip

Extreme Weather Walleye

Red Pine Lodge located on Ivanhoe Lake and is full of walleye.

French River Fever

This waterway is rich in lunge lore, having produced muskies in excess of 60 pounds.

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

Ontario’s Top 5 Ice-Out Species

Here’s where you head to kick off your open water season with a bang.

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Catching Ontario Walleye

Pro Tips for Bait and Walley Presentations

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

Ontario Multi-Species Fishing Lodges

High quality angling and top notch accommodations await at these fishing lodges.

Top 10 Streamers for Ontario Brook Trout

Big Brook Trout get that way by eating lots of smaller fish which is why streamers work well.

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Four Seasons of Bass in Ontario

Northern Ontario is home to year-round bass.

Top 5 Flies for Smallmouth Bass

The inside scoop on bass flies from the hosts of The New Fly Fisher.

Spring Walleye

Try These Tips on Your Next Ontario Walleye Fishing Trip

Top 10 Fly Patterns for Brook Trout

Learn Brook Trout Fly Pattern Choices for Surface Fly Fishing

Tag Team Walleye

Experience the fishing at White Moose Wilderness Outpost.

Discover the 3 Best Bass Fishing Lakes in Ontario

Check out these lakes for hard-fighting smallmouth bass on your next fishing trip to Northern Ontario.

Fishing and Foraging

Add some fresh foods and forage to your fishing adventures!