Northern pike is predominantly a fresh water fish though they are also found in the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. They are a carnivorous fish that will eat anything from frogs, insects, leeches, the occasional duckling, and other pike. Females tend to grow larger than the males, and the largest pike can grow to a length of five feet, with weight in excess of 50 pounds.
The Northern pike derives its name from its spear shaped head. Other physical characteristics include an olive green color with shades of white and yellow along the belly. The dominant yellow striping that is featured of the younger pike disappears into mottled yellow spotting. The silver pike is not a subspecies but is simply a mutation that occurs within pike populations. Smaller pike are sometimes referred to as “snakes” because very small pike can have a somewhat enlongated snake like appearance.
Anglers in America, Britain, and Europe love the Northern pike for its fighting ability. Northern pike are largely a bony fish so many people consider them inedible. Baking Northern pike instead of frying them can dissolve a number of bones that are missed in the filleting process.
Northern pike are a relatively controlled fish since the overpopulation of pike can distress native fish populations such as bass, trout, and salmon. Some government agencies have resorted to poisoning the waters to kill off Northern pike, but certain advocacy groups such as the Pike Anglers Club in the British Isles insists that removing pike from its waters can cause an explosion in the numbers of smaller fish species and stress the water even more.
To control the population of Northern pike outside their natural habitat some states have passed laws that require their head to be removed if they are caught. This eliminates much chance for a successful catch and release scenario, but there are other ways to damage the fish as well. Handling Northern pike with dry hands can damage the mucous membrane of their skin leading to death from infection. Take care also to remove the hook as gently as possible. Loved by some, hated by others the Northern pike deserves its place as a large freshwater angling fish.