Northern Pike
(Esox lucius)
Other names: Pike, northern, pickerel, snake, jackfish
Pike is short for pike-fish, which is a reference to the pointed snout resembling an iron tipped staff. They are voracious predators – consuming three to four times their body weight during a year and they grow to be quite large in northern waters. Colors range from brown to all shades of green with gold flecks and white bellies being the norm. Northern pike are the most widely distributed freshwater fish in the world; they are found all over Asia, Europe and North America.
Northern pike have a mouth full of canines that are slanted in for tearing and pulling prey towards their throat. Adults feed on other fish as well as crawfish, muskrats, ducklings and frogs; large pike have even been witnessed eating much larger birds. They will also eat fish, including smaller members of their own species. The northern pike puts up a great fight on spinning tackle that is surpassed only by its taste at the table. Though often misunderstood as a poor-quality fish because of the over abundance of bones, pike are quite delicious given into the care of one who knows the trick to harvesting their fillets. Because of their stealth and sheer size, the only natural predator worth noting is the human.
The northern pike prefers weedy, shallow water in lakes and marshes, but also inhabits slow flowing rivers and streams. After ice-out, pike move into shallow, shady places to spawn before retreating to cool, deep water for the summer. Smaller specimens remain in shallow weeds for much of the year.
Pike are often caught on jigs with frozen bait on them at first ice out and then targeted with live minnows. They are also more than willing to hit artificial lures like spinner baits, crankbaits and anything else resembling baitfish. Though most big pike worldwide are caught by trolling crankbaits, M/G Buck-a-Boo spinners are an excellent choice for large pike and have the advantage of marabou that pulses and flutters in the water. No matter what lure is used, a heavy leader is needed to withstand the sharp teeth.
Average spawning water temperature: 34-40 degrees F
World Record: 55 lbs. – Lake of Grefeern, Germany – October 16, 1986