Northern Pike
From BWCAWiki
The Northern Pike (Esox lucius) is a carnivorous fish of brackish and freshwaters of the northern hemisphere. It is also known by the somewhat misleading folk-name, "Water Wolf."
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Origin of the name
The Northern Pike gets its name from its North American habitat and its resemblance to the pole-weapon known as the pike (Esox also means "pike"). It's also known as the American Pike, Common Pike, Great Northern Pike, Great Lakes Pike, Grass Pike, Pickerel, Snake, Northern, and Jackfish.
Physical description
Northern pikes are most often olive, shading into yellowish or whitish on belly with short, light barlike spots on body and some dark spots on the fins. The lower half of their gill cover lacks scales and they have large pores on their head and lower jaw. Unlike the similar-looking Muskellunge, the Northern pike has light markings on a dark body background and less than six pores on the underside of its jaw.
Pike grow to a relatively large size: lengths of 150 cm and weight of 25 kg are not unheard of. A non-metric measurement estimates the size of the Northern Pike as usually over 1' and running to over 4', with a weight of 50 pounds. There are reports of far larger pike, but these are either misidentifications with it's much larger relative the muskellunge, or simply have not been properly documented and belong in the realm of legend.
Northern Pike occasionally breed with Muskellunge to produce Tiger Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy immaculatus), a Musky subspecies. Another form of Northern Pike, the Silver Pike, is not a subspecies but rather a mutation that occurs in scattered populations. Silver Pike, sometimes called Silver Muskellunge, lack the rows of spots and appear silver or silvery-blue in color.
Behavior
The pike generally hides in wait for prey, holding perfectly still for long periods, and is then capable of remarkable acceleration, sometimes propelling it a meter into the air (though it rarely leaves the surface). It catches its prey sideways with its sharp teeth, in order to kill it, before turning lengthwise to swallow. It eats mainly fish, but on occasion water voles and ducklings have also been known to fall prey to pike. It is moreover a cannibal and this cannibalism serves in maintaining stability in the pike population. Young pike have been photographed eating pike of a similar size. Northern Pike also feed on others of their kind, insects, and leeches. It has a tremendous appetite.
Habitat
Pikes are found in sluggish streams and shallow, weedy places in lakes, as well as in cold, clear, rocky waters.
Releasing pikes into lakes were it has previously been unkown often has a significant impact on the local ecosystem. Trout populations in particular tend to drop dramatically. There are northern populations in Eastern New York, northern New England, most of Canada (though pike are rare in British Columbia), Alaska, the Ohio Valley, the Great Lakes basin and surrounding states, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Fishing
Fishing for pike is very exciting with their explosive hits and aerial acrobatics. The pike are some of the biggest freshwater fish. As with any fishing, be sure to check local fishing regulations. The numbers and sizes of fish may be restricted, as well as the methods used to catch them.
Tackle
Pike are hard fighting fish, so a strong line, 20 lb. test or more, such as braided dacron or strong nylon monofilament is required, as is a length of wire between the bait and the line (a leader), since a pike's sharp teeth can readily sever ordinary fishing line. A strong, stiff rod is also the typical choice of rod for the Pike angler, of which there are many versions and makes on the market. Generally, a strong spinning or baitcasting reel is used.
Pike are active year-round, and are thus a popular species among ice fisherman. In addition to conventional ice-fishing tackle, tip-up rigs are often used, since the sheer size and strength of large predatory fish such as pike will readily trigger them. Also, pike are among the most popular targets of spear-fishing, where legal.
Methods
There are several methods of catching Pike. Young Pike, commonly are known as jack pike or "snakes", are enthusiastic feeders and will readily take lures, dead baits, and live baits. Larger Pike can be a lot more difficult to tempt. Consequently, whilst an angler may readily take smaller Pike with a lure, livebait or deadbait, it is the angler who fishes with a deadbait who typically captures the larger specimen fish.
Livebaiting
Pike feed on a great variety of small and large fishes, such as perch and whitefish, so choice of bait depends a lot on the water which the angler is fishing. If you are not familiar with the water you are fishing, the most successful live bait for pike is the 5" long minnow. An oily minnow such as a cisco or a sucker is preferred because it leaves a "scent trail" for the pike to follow*. Anglers can even catch small perch or sunfish (though sometimes not legal in certain parts of Canada or the U.S.) and use them to entice large pike. Based on this same concept, finding a school of crappie can also be an effective means of finding a pike. Pike will also strike a jigged night crawler or other earthworm species or one suspended from a bobber. Since Pike, like other esocids, are such voracious fish, they are not wary when it comes to taking live bait. Small pike will even take crickets and meal worms. Despite the pike's wide diet, the actual catching of the fish remains quite difficult and thus angler should have at least some knowledge of the waters he is fishing on or have the means to cover a large portion of the water.
Baiting
The choice of bait for deadbaiting is a hard one for the angler to take. The best approach is perhaps to try several different baits. Again, an oily minnow such as a cisco or a sucker is preferred. Once again, however, local knowledge will be useful. Giving the dead bait a lifelike presentation, such as twitching the line or drifting the bait, will increase strike chances. Two treble hooks attached to a strong wire trace are generally used for deadbaiting, making sure the treble hooks are attached towards the rear of the deadbait. Doing this helps prevent pike being deep hooked when they try and eat the deadbait, providing that the angler strikes to set the hooks immediately a bite is detected. An effective way of catching pike is to attatch a bobber about five feet above the steel leader with the deadbait attatched. When the pike bites, it will take the bobber under and out. Let the fish take the bait for awhile, and then set the hook. Anglers who are first trying deadbaiting for pike should first go fishing with an experienced pike angler. This will ensure the fish are correctly handeled and unhooked. This is very important so the survival of the fish is guaranteed.
Lure fishing
Lures come in all shapes and sizes. And they are an exciting and popular method of catching Pike. On a given day, a particular type of lure will work wonders and catch Pike. The next day, it may not work at all. There are some lures which stand the test of time more so than others and these are the best ones to begin fishing with. In North America most recreational fisherman take pike on in-line spinners, spinner baits, spoons (especially weedless ones), large rattling crankbaits, bucktails and generally anything that is shiny, large, loud, and attracts the pike's attention. Often bass and walleye fisherman will catch pike as a byproduct. Pike commonly eat fish half their size, so you can never have too big of a lure. Often Pike hit baits out of anger, so red-and-white Daredevils and large, brightly colored spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are go-to baits for many accomplished pike fishermen. Pike are not shy when it comes to hitting crankbaits, jigs and just about any other lure intended for different species. An economically challenged angler may catch pike by using tabs from soda cans on a swivel with a hook with surprising efficiency.
Handling
Pike may look mean and tough but they are as liable to be damaged as any other fish if handled carelessly. In countries where the fish is being taken to eat - as is the case in much of continental Europe, for example - it may not be so important that the fish is properly handled. However, in all cases it is probably best - and safest - if a few basic tips are followed.
- If inexperienced with Pike, go fishing with someone who is experienced. A large Pike can easily weigh in excess of 15 kg and they all have very sharp teeth.
- In many parts of the angling world, the use of gaffs is no longer accepted. Consequently a Pike should be netted or, if experienced enough to do so, handled out of the water.
- Take care in unhooking a Pike if you plan to return it to the water. In particular, avoid damaging the gill rakers when unhooking.
- If you are planning to keep the fish, or if the fish is small, the gill covers can be firmly (but gently!) squeezed shut to stun the fish and keep it from flopping around. If done gently enough, this procedure will not hurt the fish. It also keeps the fish from becoming injured from flopping about in the boat or on shore.
Eating
Whilst a worthy adversary for any rod and line fisherman, pike are often caught and released by fishermen since its flesh is bone-filled. However, the larger fish can be filleted, and pike have had a long and distinguished history in cuisine and are popular in Germany, with historical references to its cooking going back as far as the Romans. Pike have very white, mild flesh, and are considered one of the best tasting freshwater fish. When eating pike, be sure to chew carefully, as their "y-bones" are not always easily visible.
References
Parts of this article are originally from WikipediA, The Free Encyclopedia.
