Is It Safe to Fish for Pike in Summer? What Every Angler Needs to Know About Warm Water Pike Fishing

Fishing for pike during the warmer months is a controversial topic that sparks debate across the angling community. While many believe summer is a great time to chase these apex predators, scientific evidence and expert guidance suggest otherwise. So, what’s the real story? Let’s dive into the facts about warm water pike fishing, how it affects the fish, and what responsible anglers should do instead.

Why Summer Pike Fishing is Risky

Pike are known to be hardy fish in the wild, often surviving in low-oxygen environments. However, there’s a crucial difference between surviving and recovering. When caught on rod and line, pike undergo intense physical exertion. In warm water—typically above 18°C—their ability to recover drops dramatically. This can lead to stress, organ failure, and death even if the fish swims off seemingly fine.

Scientific studies, including “Guidance on optimal temperature regimes for protecting pike in catch and release activities”, clearly indicate that 18°C is a tipping point. The Pike Anglers’ Club of Great Britain (PAC) advises anglers to avoid targeting pike when water temperatures exceed this level.

Different Waters, Different Rules

UK waters vary greatly—from deep glacial lakes and cold rivers to shallow canals and slow-moving broads. In summer, oxygen levels differ across these waters due to depth, flow rate, vegetation, and temperature. Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen, making it less stressful for pike. That’s why a blanket ban on summer pike fishing isn’t realistic—but caution is essential.

Best Practices for Pike Fishing in Warm Weather

If you’re considering fishing for pike during warmer months, ask yourself—should you?

There are plenty of other exciting species to target in summer. Perch, zander, eels, catfish, and even chub provide fantastic sport and are more tolerant of warm water conditions. Still determined to target pike? Follow these guidelines to minimise harm:

1. Keep Handling to a Minimum

Unhook the fish in the water whenever possible. Extended time out of water, especially in warm temperatures, can be fatal. Carry long-nose pliers and strong wire cutters to deal with tricky hook removals quickly and safely.

2. Avoid Bait Fishing

In warm water, pike can take baits much faster than in colder seasons, leading to deep hooking. Use lures instead—strikes are immediate, and hooks are easier to remove. Strike the moment you feel any resistance to avoid deeper hooked pike on lures.

3. Skip the Retainers

Never keep pike in slings, tubes, or retainers in warm conditions. In fact, I would advise against the use of retainers for pike throughout the year as they are unnecessary. I’ve caught pike up to almost 40lb and net recovery is just fine. Let them recover fully in the landing net while upright in the water, and release them only when they’re ready to swim away strongly.

4. Choose the Right Time of Day

It might seem smart to fish at dawn when it’s cooler, but dissolved oxygen levels are often at their lowest at this time. Why? Because aquatic plants consume oxygen overnight. Oxygen levels usually rise during the day thanks to photosynthesis—so mid-morning or late afternoon might actually be safer.

5. Avoid Fishing After Algae Blooms

Algae blooms can seem harmless but are a hidden danger. When they die off, bacteria consume large amounts of oxygen breaking them down. This rapid oxygen depletion can lead to fish kills. Avoid pike fishing during or shortly after heavy blooms. I’ve seen lakes where an algae bloom have occurred and pike have died without fishing pressure.

Final Thoughts: Prioritise Pike Welfare

Summer can be an amazing time to be outdoors, but it’s not always the best time to target pike. With elevated water temperatures and oxygen stress at play, a responsible angler must weigh the excitement of the catch against the wellbeing of the fish. Ask any pike angler and they’ll all have their own opinion regarding when it’s safe or unsafe to fish for pike. A reasonable guide is if the water temperatures are above 18°C then avoid pike fishing in warmer weather. Adjust this to your waters and you won’t go far wrong.

There are many ways to enjoy predator fishing through the summer—just choose your target species wisely, adjust your methods, and always put fish care first.