Northern Pike

Northern Pike in the Leonore, Illinois area are primarily found in the Illinois River and its backwaters. While not a trophy pike destination, the river offers a chance to tangle with these aggressive predators. Spring, just after ice-out, and fall, as water temperatures cool, are the best times to target them. Pike are ambush predators, so focus on areas with plenty of cover, such as weed beds, submerged timber, and backwater sloughs. Large spinnerbaits, spoons, and crankbaits are all effective lures. A steel leader is essential to prevent bite-offs. Public access to the river is available at several points near Leonore. One often-overlooked tactic is to fish the smaller creeks that feed into the Illinois River, as pike will often move into these areas to spawn in the spring. The pike population in this section of the Illinois River is generally healthy, but sizes can vary. Be prepared for some feisty fights in the current!