1. Northern Pike (Esox lucius)
By Nathan Johnson

2. 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
lateral scales
Other similar looking fish in Iowa are the Muskellunge and the “tiger musky”

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Reproduction Spawn in flooded vegetation early in the spring
Spawning temp degrees
Females deposit up to 100,000 eggs
Hatch after days
Sexually mature at 3 years

8. 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

9. 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

11. 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

12. References
Page, L.m. and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston
Rook, E Esox lucious Northern Pike. Available at
Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Northern Pike Esox lucios. Available at September 2004
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Pike family. Available at September 2004