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Northern Pike

The northern pike (Esox lucius), sometimes called the jack, jackfish and great northern pike, ranks third in value among the freshwater species caught commercially in the northwest. As a game fish, its reputation varies with locality. Being a strong, persistent fighter, it annually attracts many anglers in some areas. In others it is regarded as a nuisance because it devours large numbers of other game fish such as trout, bass and perch.

The northern pike is the wolf of the fresh waters. Lurking on the edge of a weed bed, it attacks creatures unwary enough to enter its domain. It has an insatiable appetite for fish, young waterfowl and frogs. Average-sized northern pike in the commercial catch measure 50 to 75 cm in length and weigh 0.9 to 2.3 kg. Individuals weighing 6.8 to 9.0 kg are not uncommon. The record catch for Canada weighed 19.4 kg and was taken in Saskatchewan in 1954.

This species has a long, slender, powerful body and a long, broad, flattened snout. Its dorsal and anal fins are placed far back on its body, near the tail. The roof and jaws of its large mouth exhibit broad bands of sharp, pointed teeth.

Its colouring blends perfectly with its surroundings. Its back and upper sides are green to olive-brown, becoming lighter on the lower sides and shading to yellow-white over the belly. The sides of adults are marked with longitudinal rows of yellow to whitish bean-shaped spots. The scales of this fish are very small and, while its cheeks are scaled, the lower half of its gill covers are bare.

Circumpolar in distribution, it inhabits waters in the northern parts of Europe, Asia and North America. In North America it ranges from Alaska to Labrador and south to the northern New England States, Missouri and Nebraska. It is found in rivers and lakes throughout Quebec, Ontario, and the Prairie Provinces, in the northeastern corner of British Columbia, and in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Its preferred habitat is usually a warm, slow, heavily vegetated river or the weedy bay of a lake.

The fishery is carried out winter and summer with the largest commercial catches being taken in Manitoba followed by those of Saskatchewan. Much of the catch is incidental to other fishing operations carried out with gillnets, poundnets, and seines. Anglers troll for the pike with spoon hooks or other artificial baits and with bait fish.

The flesh of the northern pike is firm, white, and fine-textured. It is marketed fresh and frozen as whole fish and fillets. For best flavour, skinning before cooking is recommended.

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Last updated: 2006-06-06

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