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What Is a Northern Pike?

Alyssa Simon
Alyssa Simon

A northern pike is a carnivorous fresh-water game fish that lives mainly in North American and European lakes and streams. It is elongated like an eel and captures its prey with its duck-like bill and rows of pointy canine teeth. Its scientific name is Esox lucius. It is also known as a jackfish, pickerel or great northern pike.

A northern pike can grow up to 30 inches (76 cm) and eat up to four times its weight per year. They are known to hunt frogs, other fish and even small mammals or birds. They can be considered a nuisance to commercial salmon and trout farmers who often catch and kill pikes to keep them from destroying the fish population in their territories. They also prey on ducklings and may be killed by gamekeepers to preserve the number of ducks for hunting season.

Northern pike sometimes hunt frogs.
Northern pike sometimes hunt frogs.

The backs and sides of these pikes range from olive to brown in color, while their undersides are usually colored white to cream. They also have light spots on their bodies that distinguish them from muskies, similar-looking fish that often share the same habitat. Both fish eat other animals and hide among underwater plants to capture their prey. They also both have similar markings and are drably colored to help them blend into their surroundings. The muskies or muskellunge, however, have the opposite coloring from northern pikes, with dark spots on a lighter colored body.

The northern pike is considered an easy fish to catch because it will readily snap at most bait. Spring is thought to be the best time to fish for pike because that is when they move close to the shoreline to spawn. The weeds that normally grow around the shores of rivers and streams in the summer are not plentiful yet, and make the pike highly visible to their two main predators, humans and lamprey eels.

Northern pike eggs hatch two to three weeks after the mother deposits them at the bottom of the river or stream bed. Female pikes can lay up to 50,000 eggs at one time. The newly born fish survive off the yolk of the egg for about 10 days and are then considered fully independent and ready to hunt. Freshly hatched pikes are often eaten by other pike and waterfowl. A northern pike that survives to adulthood can live up to 20 years in the wild.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Northern Pike?

The Northern Pike is a species of carnivorous fish native to the Northern Hemisphere, including North America and Eurasia. It is known for its elongated body, sharp teeth, and aggressive predatory behavior. They inhabit freshwater environments and are a popular target for anglers due to their size and fighting ability.

How can you identify a Northern Pike?

A Northern Pike can be identified by its olive green color with yellow to white shading along its belly, and its body is covered with short, light bar-like spots. It has a distinctive duckbill-shaped snout with numerous sharp teeth. The pike's dorsal fin is located far back near the tail, which aids in sudden bursts of speed.

What does the Northern Pike eat?

Northern Pike are opportunistic predators and their diet primarily consists of smaller fish. However, they are known to consume amphibians, birds, and small mammals that venture near the water's edge. Their ambush predation technique allows them to capture a wide variety of prey.

Where can you find Northern Pike?

Northern Pike are found in freshwater bodies across the Northern Hemisphere. They prefer cool, clear, vegetated waters such as lakes, slow-moving rivers, and streams. They are particularly abundant in the lakes and rivers of North America, Scandinavia, Russia, and the British Isles.

What is the typical size and lifespan of a Northern Pike?

Northern Pike can grow quite large, with average lengths of 18 to 26 inches and can weigh between 3 to 7 pounds. However, they can reach lengths of over 50 inches and weights of over 30 pounds in ideal conditions. Their lifespan typically ranges from 7 to 15 years.

Is the Northern Pike important for its ecosystem?

Yes, Northern Pike play a crucial role in their ecosystems as apex predators. They help maintain healthy fish populations by preying on weaker individuals, thus contributing to the natural selection process. Their presence also influences the behavior and distribution of other aquatic species, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance.

Discussion Comments

scandela

I remember there being some concern about northern pike populations getting smaller -- that is, smaller in the size of the fish, not in their numbers -- and that the American Fisheries Society was pushing for regulations to put some kind of restraints on preventing growth and limiting recruitment. But that's been awhile ago, so I'd like to know if there's anything more recent.

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    • Northern pike sometimes hunt frogs.
      By: kazoka303030
      Northern pike sometimes hunt frogs.