Head-to-head
Northern Pike vs Lake Trout
How the tackle for northern pike and lake trout 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 | Lake Trout | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Freshwater | Freshwater |
| Regions | UK, EU, US, CA | US, CA |
| Typical weight | 3–20 lb | 3–15 lb |
| Main line | 30–65 lb | 10–20 lb |
| Rod | Heavy, fast action, 7–9 ft | Medium to Medium-Heavy, 6.5–8.5 ft |
| Reel | 4000–6000 spinning, or a strong baitcaster | 3000–4000 spinning, or a line-counter trolling reel |
| Hooks | Size 2–6 treble hooks on wire traces; 4/0–6/0 singles for deadbait | Size 2–2/0; trebles on spoons and plugs |
| Best conditions | Cool water, autumn through early spring; overcast, stable pressure. | Cold water. Shallow shorelines after ice-out and in late autumn; deep trolling or vertical jigging in summer. |
Verdict
Can one setup do both?
Line ranges don't overlap
Northern Pike typically needs 30–65 lb line and lake trout 10–20 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.
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