52 Nebraskaland • May 2026
NORTHERN PIKE
There can be at times a good population of northern pike
in the lake. Solid population numbers usually coincide with
a large jump of inflow from the river — for example a 6- to
20-foot rise May through July. When such an influx occurs,
pretty much every bay and vegetative bank on the north
side of the lake will have these toothy critters.
T h e p r i m a r y b a i t s to a t t r a c t No r t h e r n p i ke a re
spinnerbaits, topwaters and creature jigs. northern pike
also can be excellent fodder with the fly rod when you have
found them. But that's not to say they cannot be found all
the way around the lake. It just can be hard to target and
catch them while you are shaking off wipers and walleyes.
The west end and
vegetated bays are
home to the amazing
northern pike.
Trolling through the top
of flooded trees can be an
effective method for catching
pike and most species found
in Lake McConaughy.
Blake smiles with a big northern pike.
