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Pike info

The pike is also known by other names such as 'northern pike', 'Jack Fish', 'Wolf Fish'. The scientific or latin name for the northern pike is Esox lucius.

Pike are found in the sea, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. They prefer deep, calm, or slow-moving water where the weeds are fairly dense. They usually hide in these weeds, away from the main current.

The pike coloration varies somewhat according to the waters it inhabits. Usually they are dusky olive-green with rows of light oval spots. The green scales allow them to blend in with the weeds and reed stems. The pike underbelly is usually a variation of pale yellow or cream and it has needle sharp, long backward pointing teeth.

Pike can be found in North America, Europe and northern Asia. Some of the larger northern pike which live in the colder waters of the northern lattitudes, can live to 25 years of age.

The body is designed for speedy attacks and movement in weedy environment. The main diet for pike consists of other fish, including other pike. Larger pike have been known to take ducklings, small muskrats, frogs and mice. Younger pike eats smaller fish and fish eggs.

Size
  • Length: Female, up to 5 ft/1,5 meters. Males are smaller.
  • Weight: Males, rarely more than 11 lb/5 kilos. Female, up to 55 lb/25 kilos.
Breeding
  • Spawning season: March and April.
  • No. of eggs: 40,000-50,000.
  • Hatching time: 2-3 weeks
Lifestyle

Habit: Predatory, ambushes prey rather than hunting actively.
Diet:Mainly other small fish.
Lifespan: Average 7-10 years.

Lexicon

En: pike, common pike, luce; pickerel; black gemfish
Fr: brochet; brocheton; escolier long nez
Sv: gädda; unggädda; havsgädda
Fi: hauki
La: Esox lucius; Nesiarchus nasutus
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