Freshwater · Late spring through autumn in open water; also taken through the ice in winter
Amur Pike
Esox reichertii
The Amur pike is the black-spotted pike of the Heilongjiang–Amur basin — an ambush predator of floodplain lakes and slow rivers that reverses the northern pike's pale-on-dark pattern.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Long pike body with a flat, duck-bill snout full of sharp teeth
- Dark black spots scattered over silvery-olive flanks — the reverse of northern pike's pale spots
- Cheeks fully scaled, gill covers scaled only on the upper half, as in other pikes
- Dorsal and anal fins set far back, spotted like the body
Habits
- Native to the Amur/Heilongjiang basin and the Irtysh system in Xinjiang
- Ambushes fish and frogs from weed edges and flooded cover
- Spawns in early spring over flooded vegetation
- Remains active in cold water and is a classic ice-fishing target in the north
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Weed edges of floodplain lakes in the Amur basin
- Slow backwaters and oxbow lakes off the main river
- Shallow bays at first ice and in spring
Where they live
How to catch them
Spoon and minnow casting along edges Lake
Rig: Medium spinning rod, wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader, casting spoons and minnow plugs parallel to weed edges
Bait/lure: Spoons, minnow plugs, swimbaits
Key tip: Cast tight to the weeds and pause on the retrieve — Amur pike often hit as the lure restarts.
Ice fishing with tip-ups and live bait Lake
Rig: Tip-ups or ice rods over shallow weedy bays, live baitfish set just above the weeds
Bait/lure: Live baitfish
Key tip: Set baits at several depths along the edge and stay quiet on clear ice; pike cruise the same edges all winter.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Medium 7-8 ft spinning rod
- Line: 12-20 lb braid or mono
- Terminal: Wire or heavy fluorocarbon leaders, spoons and minnow plugs
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 2-6 lb; large fish to about 14 lb
On the table
Good — firm white flesh like other pikes; take care with the many fine Y-bones.
Similar species
Northern PikeNorthern pike has pale, bean-shaped spots on a darker body; Amur pike has black spots on a paler, silvery body — the pattern is reversed
Northern SnakeheadNorthern snakehead has a rounder, snake-like head, a very long dorsal fin and no duck-bill snout; Amur pike has the classic flat pike bill and a short dorsal fin set far backRegulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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