Northern Pike

Targeting Northern Pike near Graysville, Ohio, means exploring the Muskingum River watershed. While not a renowned pike destination, the backwaters and slower-moving sections of the Little Muskingum River and its tributaries can hold surprises. Spring is prime time, as pike move into shallower areas to spawn, offering excellent sight fishing opportunities. Early fall is also productive as they feed aggressively before winter. A local tip: Focus on areas with submerged timber or weed beds, as these provide ideal ambush points. Public access can be limited, so research county road crossings and bridge access points beforehand. Be prepared for relatively smaller pike compared to more northern fisheries; fish in the 2-5 pound range are common, but larger specimens are certainly possible. Remember to use wire leaders, as pike have razor-sharp teeth.