Northern Pike
A widespread, aggressive predator stocked in a number of Montana waters for anglers seeking a hard-fighting, toothy gamefish.
- Scientific name
- Esox lucius
- Family
- Esocidae
- Adult size
- Commonly 20–30 inches; can exceed 40 inches in productive waters.
Identification
Elongated body, flattened duck-bill snout, and light bean-shaped spots on a dark olive-green background.
Habitat
Weedy lakes, backwaters, and slow river sections.
Diet
Primarily other fish, taken in fast ambush strikes; also frogs and small mammals.
Angling
Known for aggressive strikes on large spoons, spinnerbaits, and live bait; its sharp teeth call for wire leaders.
Where Northern Pike is stocked
When Northern Pike is stocked
Top Northern Pike waters
Fort Peck Lake
16 species · 1842 records
Last stocked July 2025
Missouri River
19 species · 1417 records
Last stocked October 2010
Milk River
13 species · 325 records
Last stocked May 2014
Nelson Reservoir
11 species · 209 records
Last stocked June 2025
Tongue River Reservoir
10 species · 205 records
Last stocked October 2025
Gartside Reservoir
11 species · 138 records
Last stocked October 2025
South Sandstone Reservoir
7 species · 118 records
Last stocked June 2025
Yellow Water Reservoir
6 species · 118 records
Last stocked May 2026
Boxelder Lake
5 species · 115 records
Last stocked June 2025
Spotted Eagle Lake
12 species · 101 records
Last stocked October 2025
Cole Pond NNW
8 species · 98 records
Last stocked August 2025
Whitetail Reservoir
9 species · 98 records
Last stocked May 2025
Hollecker Lake
10 species · 92 records
Last stocked April 2025
Lake Baker
12 species · 86 records
Last stocked June 2025
Medicine Lake
10 species · 82 records
Last stocked June 2025
Flat Lake
5 species · 79 records
Last stocked June 2025
Fort Peck Dredge Cuts
9 species · 77 records
Last stocked May 2013
Dry Fork Reservoir
12 species · 75 records
Last stocked June 2025
Petrolia Reservoir
8 species · 74 records
Last stocked June 2025
Clarks Reservoir
5 species · 73 records
Last stocked May 2025
Gaskill Reservoir
9 species · 64 records
Last stocked April 2020
Haughian Reservoir #1
3 species · 64 records
Last stocked May 2025
Bailey Reservoir
7 species · 58 records
Last stocked September 2025
Castle Rock Reservoir
7 species · 58 records
Last stocked June 2025
Frequently asked
Where is Northern Pike stocked?
Northern Pike is stocked in 129 waters across 1 state: Montana.
When is Northern Pike stocked?
Northern Pike is typically stocked in spring, most often in May, based on records across every state that stocks it.
How many Northern Pike are stocked?
About 56,519,731 Northern Pike have been stocked on record since 1946, across Montana.
What size Northern Pike are stocked?
Stocked Northern Pike average about 3.6 inches, based on sizes reported by Montana.
What does a Northern Pike look like?
Elongated body, flattened duck-bill snout, and light bean-shaped spots on a dark olive-green background.