Northern pike fishing in Ontario.
Northern pike are open all year in Zone 5, so there is a pike trip to book in any season: weedy bays in open water, and Lake of the Woods through the ice.
Pike on two lakes, in every season.
Because pike are open year round in Zone 5, there is no bad week to fish here.
On Crow Lake, pike hold in the weedy bays and along the shallower shorelines, and they share the lake with muskie, lake trout and smallmouth bass. Our docks are right on the water, so you are fishing minutes after you leave the cabin.
Lake of the Woods is the second lake, reached through our separate private launch on Stevens Bay across Highway 71. It covers roughly a million acres with more than 14,000 islands, which is a lot of shoreline for pike.
Both lakes are fished from a single stay, so a pike day can sit alongside walleye or muskie in the same week.
Pike in open water and on the ice.
Open water
Fish the weedy bays and shallower shorelines of Crow Lake from our docks, or take the private launch to Lake of the Woods. Guided, semi-guided and self-guided packages all work for pike.
Portage lakes
Semi-guided fishing includes portage lake access. Quiet water with little pressure makes a good walleye and pike day when the big lake is rough.
On the ice
Our ice packages include a sled run to Lake of the Woods for walleye, perch, pike and crappie. Safe ice on Crow Lake usually arrives in early to mid January.
Northern pike limits in Zone 5.
These come from the Zone 5 section of the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary, updated August 4, 2026. Limits can change, so read the current summary before every trip.
- Season: open all year.
- Sport licence: 4 a day, none over 75 cm.
- Conservation licence: 2 a day, none over 75 cm.
Our guide to Ontario fishing licences for non-residents covers which licence to buy before you drive north.
Three ways to fish pike from Muskie Bay.
Premier Guided Fishing
A guide in the boat who moves to whatever is working that day, plus lodging, all meals and shore lunch. Most guided days end up multi-species.
View Package · From $970 / personSemi-Guided Fishing
Your own deluxe boat with gas, guide support when you want it and portage lake access. A good fit if you want to pick your own water.
View Package · From $640 / personSelf-Guided Fishing + Lodging
A deluxe 18 ft boat with GPS and spot lock, outpost lake access and lakeview lodging, for pike anglers who already know how they want to fish.
View Package · From $500 / personTrailering your own boat? The bring your own boat package covers lodging, meals and dock access on both lakes, and winter pike trips are part of Ontario ice fishing. Prices are per person for a 3-day package in US dollars, before 13% HST, and every option is on our rates page.
Northern pike fishing, answered.
Is northern pike open all year in Ontario's Zone 5?
Yes. Northern pike season is open all year in Zone 5, so there is a pike trip to book in any month, from open water to the ice.
How many northern pike can I keep in Zone 5?
The zone-wide limit is 4 a day on a sport licence and 2 on a conservation licence, with none over 75 cm. Neither Crow Lake (Kakagi Lake) nor Lake of the Woods lists a different pike rule in the summary we checked. Read the current Zone 5 summary before your trip.
Where do you catch pike near Nestor Falls?
On Crow Lake, pike hold in the weedy bays and along the shallower shorelines. On Lake of the Woods, guests reach pike water through our private launch on Stevens Bay.
Can I catch pike through the ice?
Yes. On our ice fishing packages the sled run to Lake of the Woods is for walleye, perch, pike and crappie. Safe ice on Crow Lake usually arrives in early to mid January, and the reliable window runs through mid March.
Can I fish pike and muskie on the same trip?
Yes, and most guests fish more than one species. Muskie season runs from the third Saturday in June to December 15, while pike is open all year. Our muskie fishing page covers the season and the 54 inch size limit.
Do I need a guide to catch pike?
No. Semi-guided fishing includes portage lake access and guide support when you want it, and it makes a good pike and walleye day when the big lake is rough. A guided day is the quickest way to learn the water on a first trip.
Fishing for more than one species? Read our guides to walleye fishing, northern pike fishing, smallmouth bass fishing and muskie fishing, or see the water itself on our Crow Lake page.