Where do I find northern pike in the fall

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Fall Pike Playbook (mid-fall in Nottingham area):** 🐟

- **Where to look**
  - Along weed edges and transitions: look for the 2–6 ft zone where vegetation meets open water. Pike ambush bait here as temps cool.  
  - Structure hotspots: weed clumps, isolated laydowns, drop-offs, points, and channel edges where baitfish school up. Rivers or tributaries feeding into lakes can hold active individuals as they chase bait.
  - Be on the move with wind or fronts: anytime baitfish press toward shorelines or weedlines after a front, pike will follow. 
  - Focus on bays, pockets, and shallow flats during early fall, then probe deeper edges as turnover progresses.

- **Why fall is different (weather snapshot)**
  - In mid-fall, water temps in many spots fall into the 40s–50s °F range. In your area (Nottingham region coordinates around 53.725, -1.5392), the current air ~48.7°F and partly cloudy skies mean fish are active but a touch wary. A light, variable wind (~7 mph) helps push bait and scent along edges. Play to the light and bite windows around dawn/dusk. 
  - Overcast or partly cloudy days can boost bite opportunities as pike hunt baitfish in dimmer conditions.

- **Tactics & retrieves**
  - Cast-heavy approach with big profiles: use larger swimbaits, jerkbaits, and crankbaits to entice an ambush strike. 
  - Let the bait do the work: slow-roll near structure, then pop or pause to trigger pauses in the pike’s pursuit. 
  - Fish with a slightly aggressive steering style on weed edges but be ready to switch to a steady, slow retrieve if they’re reluctant.
  - Tie on a sturdy leader; teeth mean you’ll want confidence-to-handling power on the hookup.

- **Lure suggestions (try these picks)**
  - Swimbaits / jointed swimbaits for big, tempting profiles: [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)  
  - Multi-jointed swimbaits for varied action: [Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Fish Lishing Kits](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J4CR24K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)  
  - Topwater options for morning/evening surges: [HALYXS Top Water Plopper](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVGGTQWT?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - Versatile pike baits in a kit: [TRUSCEND Top Water Lure](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1FKL9Z?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - More versatile swimbaits: [TRUSCEND Fishing Lures Jighead Swimbaits](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W2Z6VT8?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

- **Gear & quick-access aids**
  - Measure-and-map: [YB Fisherman's Ruler](https://tackle.net/item/yb-fishermans-ruler) for quick pics and records.
  - Standout nuisance-baiters: big profile lures like the NugZ Mouse can help trigger aggressive strikes in tight cover.
  - Keep a spare heavy rod and wire leader to handle pin-sharp pike teeth.

- **Quick links to learn more**
  - Fall pike tactics and region-specific tips: [Tips for Catching Northern Pike in the Fall](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e7c3nQThqo) 
  - Pike seasonal movements: [Northern Pike — Seasonal Movements](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWTlqcEVcOA) 
  - General beginner-friendly pike guide and top lures: [Beginner's Guide to Pike Fishing Success](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wo6N3cWtHI)

- **Pro tips for mid-fall bites**
  - Try early morning or late evening sessions when light is lower and pike are more actively feeding along edges.  
  - If you’re not marking baitfish on the graph, slow down and probe likely ambush zones with longer pauses.
  - Vary depth and lure size until you find what the lake wants on that particular day.

Bottom line: in mid-fall, focus on weed edges, drop-offs, and baitfish pockets around structure. Stay mobile, pick big lures, and capitalize on dawn/dusk bite windows under partly cloudy skies. You’ve got this—keep that line tight and your spirits higher! 🎣💥

Where do I find northern pike in the fall

Related Videos

Product Recommendations

TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax, Magic Noisy Turbulent Wiggling and Vibrating Actions for More Bites, Segmented Swimbait Jointed by Dyneema Strongest Fiber, Lifelike Fishing Lures for Relax Family Fishing

Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Fish Fishing Kits, Slow Sinking Lifelike Swimbaits Crankbaits Hard Baits Lure Set, Fishing Gear for Bass Trout Pike Walleye, Freshwater Saltwater Predator Bait

HALYXS 10 - Pack - Top Water Plopper, Musky Lure, Fishing Lure, Hard Bait, Bass Lure, Whopper Topwater - Plastic

GOANDO Fishing Lures Kit for Freshwater Bait Tackle Kit for Bass Trout Salmon Fishing Accessories Tackle Box Including Spoon Lures Soft Plastic Worms

TRUSCEND Top Water Fishing Lures with BKK Hooks, Whopper for Freshwater or Saltwater, Floating Lure Bass Catfish Pike, Wobble Surface Bait Teasers Gifts Men

TRUSCEND Fishing Lures for Bass Trout Jighead Lures Paddle Tail Swimbaits Soft Fishing Baits Freshwater Saltwater Jigging Bass Gear Gifts for Men

HALYXS 5 - Pack - Blade Minnow, Ice Fishing, Fishing Lure, Hard Bait, Vetical Jiging, Summer Fishing, Minnow Imitation - Metal

TRUSCEND Fishing Jigs Lures with Handmade Lead Heads Paddle Tail Spinner Baits for Bass Trout Walleye Musky Soft Plastic Fishing Lures

Tackle.net

YB Fisherman's Ruler

NugZ Mouse (Matte Black)

Grin Works Glidbait

SDG Jackhammers

Brian's Elk/Squirrel (3/16oz) Jig

Klash Joker

klashGHOST

Explorer Gill Glide Bait

Community

🎣 The Fall

Pike & Musky Questions

rate my muskie setup out of ten: bass pro predator musky rod heavy, piscifun alijoz 400, and 80lb braid

what is the best lure to fish for pike in sweden durring summer

where to fish pike in denmark ikast

is this good fishing wheather for pike

More Questions

I want to pond fish from the bank in baton rouge louisiana and target largemouth bass. It is very overcast and is 73 degrees out today. What bait should I throw and how should I fish it

What bait can I use to catch bass in a Myrtle Beach lake if the fish are fed and not hungry?

How do I catch redfish in Folly River?

What's the best spot to dive in Jervis Bay for lobsters from the shore?

Where is the best place to catch cobia along the Gulf Coast in March?

What’s better for ajing, Shimano Stella or Daiwa Exist?

Find me the cheapest fish 30 acre swim bait

What fish is this

I want to pond fish from the bank in baton rouge louisiana and target largemouth bass. It is very overcast and is 73 degrees out today. What bait should I throw and how should I fish it

What bait can I use to catch bass in a Myrtle Beach lake if the fish are fed and not hungry?

How do I catch redfish in Folly River?

What's the best spot to dive in Jervis Bay for lobsters from the shore?

Where is the best place to catch cobia along the Gulf Coast in March?

What’s better for ajing, Shimano Stella or Daiwa Exist?

Find me the cheapest fish 30 acre swim bait

What fish is this

rate my muskie setup out of ten: bass pro predator musky rod heavy, piscifun alijoz 400, and 80lb braid

what is the best lure to fish for pike in sweden durring summer

where to fish pike in denmark ikast

is this good fishing wheather for pike