Read the article with FishingTheSpot: the northern pike
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See the fishing tripsThe Northern Pike
Early spring
50 cm
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The Northern Pike belongs to the Esocidae family. The Northern pike have an average length of 46 to 51 cm. The maximum weight recorded was 28.4 kg. The average weight is about 1.8 kg. It has a lifespan of about 12 years. It reproduces in the springs. It can be fished in early spring.
They can be identified by their one dorsal fin and by light spots along their dark bodies. They can also be identified by the scales that cover their entire cheek and upper half of their gills. Their close relative, the muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), has only scales that cover only the upper half of the cheek and gill covers. The sides of E. lucius range from dark green to olive green to brown, with 7 to 9 rows of yellowish bean-shaped spots. The underside is white to cream.
The Northern Pike lifestyle
It is a carnivorous fish. With sharp teeth and very complex skull and skull structures, they are the predators of the smallest fish, frogs, crayfish, small mammals and birds.
Like the Muskellunge, they are not nest builder but random spawner. Spawning occurs in shallow waters when the water temperature reaches 4 to 7 degrees Celsius. When eggs are laid, they are vulnerable to predators. Surviving eggs hatch after about two weeks. With their insatiable eating habits, young northern pike grow quickly in length and weight. Males become sexually mature at 2 or 3 years of age and females at 3 or 4 years of age. Egg laying lasts 5 to 10 days, after which the female leaves. Males remain in the spawning area for several weeks, but do not protect the eggs.
The Northern Pike Habitat
Northern pike are found in almost all types of freshwater, from deep and cold lakes to warm and shallow ponds and muddy rivers. Having a wide range of tolerances for water temperature, clarity and oxygen content allows the northern pike to be extremely adaptable to different conditions.
Northern Pike originates from North America and Eurasia. They can be found from Labrador to Alaska, southern Pennsylvania, Missouri and Nebraska. In Europe, they are found in northern and western Europe, in the south throughout Spain and as far as Siberia.
The Northern Pike angling
They can be caught by line and trail.
