A long torpedo-shaped predator with razor teeth and a duck-shaped snout — built for ambush. Pike will strike at almost anything that moves, including ducklings and other pike.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The northern pike, also known as jack, northern or simply pike, is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox (pikes). It is commonly found in fresh waters of the Northern Hemisphere.
Source: Wikipedia — Northern pike Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Long torpedo-shaped body; duck-like flattened snout filled with sharp teeth. Greenish with light bean-shaped markings on dark background.
Similar species. Muskellunge (lighter, dark markings on light). Pickerel (chain markings).
Voice. Silent.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Almost exclusively other fish (yellow perch, suckers, ciscoes, smaller pike). Will eat almost any animal that fits in mouth — including ducklings and muskrats.
Behavior. Ambush predator. Hovers motionless in submerged vegetation, then strikes prey with explosive lateral acceleration.
§ Range
Northern US, Canada, Alaska; circumpolar
§ Habitat
Vegetated lakes, slow rivers, marshes
§ Threats
Wetland drainage destroying spawning habitat, climate-driven warming in southern range, invasive species.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the northern pike is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Support wetland and marsh protection. Practice selective harvest of overpopulated lakes. Don't move pike between waterways.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Northern pike
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Esox lucius
- IUCN Red List · taxon 135631
- iNaturalist · taxon 49585
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Esox lucius
§ Sources cited
- Minnesota DNR
- American Fisheries Society
- Trout Unlimited
- IUCN Red List 2017
