Northern Pike (Esox lucius) By Nathan Johnson

Identification Partially scaled opercale Rows of white bean-shaped spots on sides Dark green back and sides 5-6 Submandibular pores Size: up to 53 inches 13-16 Branchiostegal rays 105-148 lateral scales Other similar looking fish in Iowa are the Muskellunge and the “tiger musky”

Distribution Most widely distributed freshwater fish in the world Found in: Northern Asia Europe North America Common in the larger lakes and rivers in Iowa

Habitat Clear vegetated lakes Pools and backwaters of creeks and rivers Prefer shallow, weedy, clear water Preferred water temp of less than 70 degrees In southern portions of their range they will move deeper in the summer to find cooler water temps.

Diet Predator Ambush predator Eat fish up to 1/3 of their own length Frogs Crayfish Mice Muskrats Ducklings Ambush predator Eat fish up to 1/3 of their own length Feed little in warm water Cannibals

Reproduction Spawn in flooded vegetation early in the spring Spawning temp 34-40 degrees Females deposit up to 100,000 eggs Hatch after 12-14 days Sexually mature at 3 years

Conservation Status Common to Iowa waters IA DNR cultures and stocks 6-10 million fry each year Population overall is stable Daily bag on interior waters is 3 Border Rivers daily bag is 5 Natural lakes season is closed Feb 15-April 30

Economic and Recreational Importance Important sport fish Popular table fare Some anglers dislike them IA DNR produces 6-10 million fry at the Guttenberg Hatchery Mainly stocked in the natural lakes

Ecological Importance Important predator Can have a significant impact on prey populations Only predator is humans and larger pike Can be a water quality indicator Water temperature Turbidity

References Page, L.m. and B.M. Burr. 1991. Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston Rook, E. 1999. Esox lucious Northern Pike. Available at http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/fish/esox.html Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Northern Pike Esox lucios. Available at http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_18958-45685--,00.html September 2004 Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 1987. Pike family. Available at http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/pikefam.html September 2004