Northern Pike,  Esox lucius

 
Physical Description: 
�	Elongate, cylindrical body
�	Green in color with rows of yellow, bean-shaped spots  
�	Single dorsal and anal fins are far posterior on the body
�	Tail is forked, pelvic fins are abdominal, and pectoral fins are low on body
�	Head slopes to a point, jaws are long and duckbill-shaped
�	Terminal mouth; lower jaw with large teeth and upper jaw with short, sharp brush-like teeth 

Similar species: 
�	Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 450-750 mm total length

Habitat:
�	Found in marshes, lakes, ponds, and streams
 
Distribution in VA:
�	Stocked in the upper James River drainage
�	Stocked in some lakes by the VDGIF

Food Habits:  
�	Feed on anything they can catch that will fit into their mouths 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature at ages 1 to 6
�	Spawning occurs in late winter or early spring 4�C
�	Spawning occurs in shallow weedy areas in groups with one female and one to three males
�	Fecundity is 7,690-290,000 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	An important sportfish that fights well and tastes good, though bony 

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. 

Page, Lawrence M., Burr, Brooks M., Freshwater Fishes, Houghton Mifflin co, Boston, MA

Chain Pickerel Muskellunge Northern Pike Redfin Pike Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes