Pike are aggressive hunters that lurk in the freshwaters of the UK in rivers, lakes and canals. They are one of the most prized fish for angling enthusiasts but unlike many other types of fish, they are not typically fished through the summer.
Pike spawn in the early spring and out of all the freshwater fish in the UK, they are the first to do so. This may take place as early as February if the winter hasn’t been particularly cold but it could be well into April if the weather doesn’t warm up as quickly as usual.
Anglers will find that they get the best results when fishing for pike if they target the waters just before the fish begin to spawn. Heading out between mid-February and the middle of March will see the fish returning to the shallows and you may have some excellent catches at this time of year.
However, once the spawning season starts, it is highly advisable to leave the fish alone and let them get on with it. You will find that many areas close for pike fishing between March and June for spawning and there may even be penalties if you attempt to fish at this time.