The pike is one of the UK's most fascinating and popular predatory fish to catch, and with their lightning speed, formidable jaws and absolutely stunning appearance it is easy to see why so many anglers like catching them.
Pike seem to be getting bigger and bigger, with anglers having the best chance they have had in years to catch a really big fish over 20lb. Try one of the waters in this list and you're in with a shot of holding your own prehistoric predator!
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Bishops Bowl Fishery, Leamington Spa, Warks
On the Mitre Pool, Pike in excess of 20lbs can be targeted between October and February. It is a productive pike lake with lots of mid doubles from the margins on dead or live baits.
More info: bishopsbowlfishery.co.uk and 01926 612379
Broadlands Lakes, Southampton, Hants
Cast tight to the islands on into the margins with a mackerel deadbait for pike to over 20lb. It is better to use a slightly bigger bait here as the lake contains lots of eels that will play around with smaller offerings. The bay outside the clubhouse or the inlet bay where it is a bit shallower are always great starting points.
More info: gocatch.fish/broadlands and 07360 201900
Trawsfynydd Reservoir, Gwyned, North Wales
Over recent seasons some huge pike have been caught from this reservoir, fish to well over 30lb. Deadbaits are winners, and you’ve a great chance of a ‘double’.
More info: trawslake.com or 01766 540313
NEED SOME TIPS TO CATCH BIGGER PIKE? CHECK OUT THIS EXPERT TACTICS ARTICLE.
Allestree Lake, Burley Hill, Derbyshire
Situated in the 320-acre Allestree Park, this seven-acre lake is surrounded by mature trees and holds some good pike. Day tickets available from a number of outlets.
More info: 01332 752500
Patshull Park Fishery, Wolverhampton, West Mids
The Great Lake is well known as a trout water, but at this time of year, it comes into its own for predator fishing. Pike to over 32lb have been caught, along with some big perch. The Fishing Lodge serves hot drinks and snacks.
More info: bdaa.co.uk and 01902 700774
LOOKING FOR MORE PREDATOR FISHING VENUES? CHECK OUT THIS WHERE TO FISH GUIDE.
Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent
This is the ideal place to land your first double-figure pike, with a good head of fish over the 10lb mark present. Rotate between mackerel and sardine deadbaits, injecting them with your favourite flavouring to make them more distinctive. Loosefeeding maggots over your rig can also help, bringing the roach shoals into your peg. Day tickets must be bought in advance from local tackle shops.
More info: maidstonevictoryanglingsociety.com and 01622 200000
South Lagoon, St Neots, Cambridgeshire
This 20-acre gravel pit is located on the Wyboston Lakes complex and is controlled by Luton AA. There are some huge predators to target, with pike to over 30lb and zander hitting the 15lb mark. The lake is home to plenty of roach, and the predators tend to follow them as they search for food. Day tickets and annual permits are available.
More info: www.lutonanglingclub.co.uk and 01582 728114
Linear Fisheries, Witney, Oxfordshire
Widely regarded as the best big carp complex in the land, this venue is also home to some huge pike approaching 30lb. On Manor Farm Lake, roach or skimmer bream deadbaits score well at this early stage of the predator season.
More info: linear-fisheries.co.uk and 07885 327708
YOU WON'T BELIEVE SOME OF THE CRAZY THINGS PREDATOR FISH EAT. FIND OUT MORE HERE.
Frisby Lakes, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
This 48-acre gravel pit holds a wide array of species, including perch to over 4lb and pike to 30lb. Mackerel deadbaits can be a winner for the latter, and you’ll also find a few zander here, which respond well to freshwater deadbaits. Book fishing through the Go Catch app and website.
More info: frisbylakesfishery.co.uk and gocatch.fish
Esthwaite Water, Hawkshead, Cumbria
The Lake District venue is one of the best pike waters in the country with fish to 40lb lurking in its depths. There are plenty of smaller doubles to provide plenty of action though with boat fishing and guiding an option too. Fly fishing can also be very successful and is a super exciting way of catching a big pike!
More info: hawksheadtrout.com and 015394 36541
Summers Ponds, Horsham, West Sussex
Present your rig close to the island or near marginal cover on Sumners Pond. Pike to just under 20lb are caught every winter, with mackerel and sardine hookbaits proven winners. Coarse deadbaits and livebaits are not permitted.
More info: sumnersponds.co.uk and 01403 732539
LEARN HOW TO HANDLE PIKE SAFELY AND CORRECTLY BY FOLLOWING THIS ADVICE.
Finch Farm Fishery, Maidenhead, Berks
Famed for its catfish the lakes also contain plenty of pike too with float-fished deadbaits at long range have been accounting for fish to 25lb in recent weeks.
More info: finchfarmfishery.com and 07708 690076
St Ives Lakes, St Ives, Cambs
The 5-acre Ivo is under-fished but contains some huge pike. The lake contains loads of interesting features, gravel bars, deep margins with loads of cover. Some huge pike over 20lb have been caught recently on deadbeat tactics.
More info: stiveslakesfishery.co.uk and 07803065993
Woodland Water, Ancaster, Lincs
The Specimen Lake fishes well for pike in the colder weather. Fish to 28lbs have been caught on roach deadbaits cast at around 30 yards recently.
More info: woodlandwaters.co.uk and 01400 230888
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