Multiple-fish days are common when ice fishing for pike. Fishing during the open water season often subjects anglers to wind, current and waves, making precision presentations difficult. Fishing from a stationary position affords ice fishermen a real advantage in terms of placing baits in specific spots-and keeping them there. Spots that are "good" during the open-water season usually become "great" under the cover of ice. The main difference is that once located, high percentage areas can be covered and worked with precision. Being able to eyeball a struggling minnow or a slow-falling jig for an extended period of time can trigger even the most lethargic pike.

  Different bodies of water have different structure, cover and forage dynamics. Some lakes are shallow and turbid, with swampy creeks and marshes for spawning. Other, "classic," pike lakes are deep and clear, allowing for deep weed growth and suspended forage. Identifying the areas that hold pike during different phases of the winter season is a good place to start. Generally, these are first ice, mid-winter and last ice/pre-spawn/migration/staging. Wherever you fish, there are certain cover and structural elements that will hold pike regardless of their activity level or winter phase.

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