Northern Pike

Targeting Northern Pike around Iroquois, Illinois, means focusing on the sloughs and backwaters connected to the Iroquois River. While the river itself holds some pike, the calmer, weedier areas off the main channel are where they tend to congregate. Spring, immediately after ice-out, is an excellent time to find pike as they spawn in these shallow areas. Large spinnerbaits, spoons, and crankbaits are all effective. Fall, as the water cools, is another productive period as pike aggressively feed before winter. A key to success here is finding areas with abundant vegetation, as pike are ambush predators. Many of these areas are accessible by canoe or kayak, launched from public access points along the Iroquois River. Pike in this area are generally smaller than those found further north, with most fish in the 2-5 pound range, but they offer a fun and accessible fishing experience.