Northern Pike
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Name and Code
Family
Esocidae - pikes and mudminnows
Species
Esox lucius
Taxonomic Authority
Linnaeus 1758
Common Name(s)
Northern Pike
French Name
grand brochet
Species Code
131
Family TSN
162137
Parent TSN
162138
Species TSN
162139
Conservation Status
Global Rank (GRank)
G5 (2015-08-17)
National Rank (NRank)
N5 (2017-12-22)
Provincial Rank (SRank)
S5 (2009-03-23)
COSEWIC Status
none
SARO Status
none
AFS Status
none
Status Notes
none
Ecological Value
Ontario Origin
native
General Abundance
common
Tolerance
intermediate
Economic Importance
sport fish; commercial fishery
Length-Weight Regression Coefficents
Intercept (a)
-5.2029
Slope (b)
2.9877
Length Basis
TL
Habitat and Feeding
General Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Environment
benthopelagic
Trophic Class
carnivore
Thermal Regime
coolwater
Habitat Preference
clear, cool to warm, weedy bays of lakes and slow, meandering, heavily vegetated rivers; preferred water temperature range 17-24°C
Reproduction
Reproductive Guild
Nonguarders: Open substratum spawners: Phytophils
Spawning Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Spawning Season
spring
Spawning Month(s)
March-May
Spawning Temperature (°C)
4-11
Fecundity
7,691-595,200
Nursery Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Size and Age
Adult Length (cm)
45.7-100.2 TL
Adult Weight (kg)
0.6-5.8
Age at Maturity (yrs)
2-3 (m); 3-4 (f)
Maximum Length (cm)
155 TL
Maximum Weight (kg)
35.01
Lifespan (yrs)
10-26
Ontario Records
Record Length (cm)
134.6 TL
Record Weight (kg)
19.11
Ontario Range Map
Northern Pike range
Ontario Distribution
widespread throughout the province; except Kawartha Lakes and Algonquin Park
Photographs
Northern Pike photograph
Northern Pike photograph
Notes
tolerant of short-term low dissolved oxygen (0.1 mg/L); moderately tolerant of turbidity; natural hybridization with Muskellunge called "tiger muskellunge"; colour phase lacking white spots known as "silver pike"
Information Sources
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