Esox lucius, northern pike or simply pike belongs to the carnivorous fish family. The family Esocidae fishes are freshwater fish and are of great commercial importance and hence every angler wants to catch this sport fish.

Pc: Pixabay

The other common names which are famous in different parts of the world are,

• Snake
• Pike
• Silmer
• Jack Fish
• Water Wolf
• Slough Snake
• Jack
• Hammer Handle
• Lakes Pike
• Great Northern Pike
• Slough Shark

They are known to be the ambush solitary predatory fish with large, fearsome teeth. The name of the fish is probably due to its elongated body, which resembles to the large pole.

Pc: Pixabay

Physical Characteristics of Northern Pike:

Body Shape and Body Color:

Northern pike has elongated, large flat bodies with spotted appearance. The body of adults is olive green with white belly, while the younger pike has yellow body.

Body Size and Body Weight:

Northern pike is a game fish with the average body size is about 55-160 cm, while the record body weight is 25 kg.

Scales and Fins:

The lower portion is scaleless, while have less than six sensory pores on the underside of the lower jaw and the top of the head.

The pike has two fins near the head and stomach and large dorsal and anal fins near the tail. 

Mouth and Teeth:

Northern pike has large shovel resembled mouth and has large teeth which help them to support their predatory lifestyle.

Northern pikes are known to have about 700 and more fangs like teeth on the jaws linings and roof of mouth. 

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Habitat and Range of Northern Pike:

Being freshwater fish, they are widely distributed in rivers, lakes, streams. They inhabit the sluggish streams, brackish water, cold rocky streams, weedy lake areas. They prefer the freshwater bodies with vegetation behind submerged logs.

Northern pike is commonly present in North America, Canada, Northern Asia as well as Europe. They can survive all depths. 

Diet of Northern Pike:

They are supper aggressive and mostly referred to as freshwater shark and being carnivores loves to eat slow moving to fast moving invertebrates and fishes. The common diet includes

• Roach
• Gammarus
• Frogs
• Great Crested Grebe
• Swan
• Leeches
• Perch
• Crayfish
• Insects
• Daphnia
• Small mammals

Northern Pike Fishing:

Great Care while Handling:

While you are deciding to go for fishing this aggressive predator keep in mind you need to be extra careful while handling because not only the teeth are pointy but also the gill cover handle with great care otherwise you may get a cut. Handling with the back of gill plate, over the head near the eyes are quite safe options.

Pc: Pixabay

Best Method and Gear for Northern Pike Fishing:

• The best method to catch a pike is to use low resistance rigs and move a little to push the vegetation before casting a line. Dead baits are the most preferred choice.
• Worms, spinner baits, jigs, in-line spinner, spoons are the best lures while for the northern pike fishing. Soft artificial lures can also work wonders, and Fishing Nice has an amazing collection of artificial fishing lures. 
• Have the spinning reel with maxim drag power. Fishing Nice Spinning Reel For Fishing Dual Bearing System should be your first choice.