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Fishin' Facts >> Fish Facts | Northern Pike Facts

Northern Pike/Great Northern Pike/Northern Grass Pike/Jack/Jackfish/Pickerel Facts

Northern Pike


Scientific Name Esox lucius
Distribution They are circumpolar in fresh water.

In North America they exist in the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific, Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from Labrador to Alaska and south to Pennsylvania, Missouri and Nebraska, USA.

In Northern Eurasia exist from France to eastern Siberia, south to northern Italy. They are not found in northern Norway nor northern Scotland. They have also been introduced to other countries.
Size Maximum Length (Male): 100.0 cm (Approx. 39.4")

Maximum Length (Female): 150.0 cm (Approx. 59.1")

Maximum weight (Male): 25 Kg (Approx. 55.1 Lbs)

Maximum weight (Female): 35 Kg (Approx. 77.2 Lbs)

Maximum Age: 20+ years
Habitat The usually solitary and highly territorial Northern Pike are found in quiet, shallow, vegetated lakes and bays, and slow, winding rivers with thick underwater vegetation. It has been known to enter brackish water in the Baltic region.

During cool autumn days Pike are most likely to seek deeper water. Pike are aggressive feeders year round. They will consume large numbers of fish, insects, and other animals including frogs, small birds, and small mammals. Young Pike feed on large zooplankton and insect larvae.

Caution: Northern Pike can be infested with parasites some of which, if not killed by thorough cooking, can infect humans.
What do they Look Like? This fish has a long, snakelike body that is slightly flattened towards the tail. It has a long head with a long depressed snout and a large mouth. The lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw. The jaws, roof of the mouth, and tongue are all lined with teeth. The eyes are brilliant yellow. The dorsal fin is set back towards the tail. Northern Pike are usually bluish to greenish gray in colour, although completely silver fish are to be found. They have rough horizontal rows of light irregular spots on its sides. The belly is either whitish or yellowish. Large dark spots can be found on the dorsal, anal and tail fins. The tips of the tail fin are more rounded than those of the muskellunge.
Spawning Northern pike spawn during the day in early spring shortly after the ice breaks up. Spawning is repeated several times over 2 to 5 days. Females generally mature at 6 years and males at 5 and will live to spawn many times.


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