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The target species for many of the regions anglers during the Winter months on rivers, lakes and Broads.

Pike
Esox Lucius

Length 1.30m (4ft 3in)
Weight: UK record: 21.234kg (46lb 13oz) World record:25kg (55lb 1oz)


Identification: Long, torpedo-shaped body with dorsal and anal fins close to the tail fin. Head pointed from side view, snout is flat. The lower jaws have several massive teeth; hundreds of small sharp teeth on palate. Coloration, greenish brown above, the sides greenish, flecked with gold lines and speckles on sides, sometimes forming bar like stripes, particularly on fish in shallow, clear water. The colour pattern is specific to the individual. Individuals can be identified by scale and fin markings. Some fish may display a jaw deformity, known as 'kyped jaw' shown here, making them extremely recognizable.

Habitat: Lakes and slow-flowing rivers or canals. Young fish often lie close to the surface amongst plants; adults lurk in deep water under cover; typically lie hidden in vegetation. Food Juveniles eat invertebrates, young fish, tadpoles, etc.; adults eat fishes, frogs, water voles, and the largest will eat ducklings and other water birds occasionally.

Breeding: Spawns in early spring in shallow weedy areas, flooded water-meadow ditches or at the edge of flooded rivers. Often 2-3 males accompany the much larger female. The eggs are shed over water plants. Mature in 2-3 years.

Range: Northern Europe from Ireland and N. Scandinavia eastwards through the USSR, Siberia, and across northern North America (where known as northern pike).