Northern pike - Definition and Overview

The Northern Pike (Esox lucius) is a carnivorous fish of brackish and freshwaters of the northern hemisphere. It eats mainly fish, but water voles and ducklings are also known to fall prey to pikes. It is moreover a cannibal and this cannibalism serves in maintaining a stability in the pike population. Young pike have been photographed eating pike of a similar size. Pike grow to a relatively large size: lengths of 150 cm and weight of 25 kg are not unheard of.

The pike generally hides in wait for prey, under weeds perhaps, and is then capable of remarkable acceleration, capable of propelling it a metre into the air (though it rarely leaves the surface). It catches it's prey sideways with it's sharp teeth before turning it to swallow.

E. lucius caught by an angler in the river Dráva, Hungary.

Whilst a worthy adversary for any rod and line fisherman, pike are usually returned alive by fishermen, since its flesh is bone filled and is not usually considered for eating. However, it has had a long and distinguished history in cuisine and is popular in Germany, with historical references to its cooking going back as far as the Romans.

See also: Muskellunge, fishing for pike

References

• "Esox lucius" (TSN 162139) (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=162139). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on 8 December 2004.
• "Esox lucius (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?genusname=Esox&speciesname=lucius)". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
• Broughton, Bruno. "A Review of the Scientific Basis for Pike Schools" (http://www.anglers-net.co.uk/authors/bruno01.htm)]. N.p., 2000.