Pikes · Esocidae
Northern pike
Esox lucius
May be keptNative
- Typical size
- 40–80 cm
- Maximum size
- 140 cm
- Minimum size to keep
- 40 cm
- Daily limit
- 3 fish
Closed season
Statutory period: 1 February – 31 March
No closed season now. The next one starts on 1 February 2027.
- 2026: 2 February – 31 March
About
An ambush predator that waits for prey along weed edges and snags. It spawns in early spring and has the earliest closed season of the year. Caught on lures, or with live or dead fish baits under a float or on the bottom.
Waters with northern pikeSpawning season
- January
- February – spawning
- March – spawning
- April – spawning
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
The closed seasons and size limits shown here are the national (general) rules in Hungary. Some waters – such as Lake Balaton, Lake Velence or Lake Tisza – and local fishing rules may set different, stricter limits; always check the local rules before fishing.
