Live bait- Number one, loose the worm. Chance of catching something big on a little worm is low. Find a good spot, with a weed edge where the pike can hide in and ambush their prey. In rivers, you want to stay away from fast current. They like somewhat cold water temp so they really get biting in the fall, but they are active scattered everywhere making them harder to locate. If you are a patient guy, and you find a rock solid spot, throw a big sucker minnow out there and just let him swim around. Bigger bait=bigger fish, remember that. Rig em up with a hook through the lips and a treble on a short leader right behind the dorsal fin. Something big WILL eat your bait if you're patient enough. In a river especially, with all the fish traffic. Use discretion when setting the hook, you wait too long, and the fish could swallow it- no good. Keep a little tension and gauge when you think the bait is inside the fishes mouth, then let er rip.
Artificial- Pike aren't picky, they will hit crankbaits, jointed rapalas, topwaters, bucktails, spinners, spoons pretty much whatever you have in your box you can probably get a strike. Flashier is usually better, but not always, especially if theres a lot of fishing pressure. I'd say the most practical artificial lure for pike is a spinnerbait. Get yourself a nice flashy spinnerbait with a solid hook. In the fall, I would say trolling bright colors is your best bet. If a certain color isn't working switch it up, obviously. If you don't have a boat capable of trolling, you're really at a disadvantage for fall pike, however, casting is a little more exciting because you can finesse your lure more to get a more realistic action and you get to feel the strike! One recommendation- slow down your retrieves/trolling. As it gets chillier, the fish get lazier, so just get that spinner going fast enough to rotate the blade and always keep your eyes on your lure. When you see that follow, speed it up your retrieve just a little bit, like you're trying to get away. That triggers a strike 70% of the time with pike.
* In my opinion, artificial lures are better all around. They have less chance of hurting the fish, and when you get a strike, it's much more intense- especially topwater. There is nothing like seeing a huge pike/muskie, any fish come up out of the water and smack your lure. When it happens, keep tension on, NO SLACK ON YOUR LINE. The fish is going to run right off the bat, make sure you have adequate drag to let him do so. Don't panic and set the hook right away, you'll jerk it out. Let him complete that initial surge, and set that sob like it's your job. I mean crank it up, you need to use some power to get that hook through a bony jaw. Make sure you have a big net with you because you run a good chance of getting cut on their teeth if your barehanding it. Other essential tools: strong braid or heavy mono line, medium to medium heavy rod, sturdy reel with solid drag, and A GOOD LEADER (i prefer spro leaders and swivels).
Best bet in my opinion=spinnerbaits.