Head-to-head
Northern Pike vs Atlantic Salmon
How the tackle for northern pike and atlantic salmon compares, and whether one setup can reasonably cover both.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (free licences) — credits on each species page.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
Side by side
Tackle comparison
| Northern Pike | Atlantic Salmon | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Freshwater | Both |
| Regions | UK, EU, US, CA | UK, EU, CA, US |
| Typical weight | 3–20 lb | 5–20 lb |
| Main line | 30–65 lb | 15–25 lb |
| Rod | Heavy, fast action, 7–9 ft | Double-handed 13–15 ft fly rod, or heavy spinning rod, 11–15 ft |
| Reel | 4000–6000 spinning, or a strong baitcaster | Large-arbor fly reel with strong drag, 8–10wt |
| Hooks | Size 2–6 treble hooks on wire traces; 4/0–6/0 singles for deadbait | Size 4–12 salmon tubes and doubles |
| Best conditions | Cool water, autumn through early spring; overcast, stable pressure. | A falling river after rain, with water temperature above about 42°F (6°C). |
Verdict
Can one setup do both?
Line ranges don't overlap
Northern Pike typically needs 30–65 lb line and atlantic salmon 15–25 lb. The gap is big enough that separate outfits are the sensible choice.
Shared methods
Techniques that work for both
Spinning with Lures
Casting and retrieving spinners, spoons or small soft plastics on light spinning tackle.
Fly Fishing
Casting a weighted line that carries a nearly weightless artificial fly to the fish.
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