pike

Pike

The generic term for Pike 'Esox' is derived from Greek meaning a kind of fish. The English common name "pike" is an apparent shortening of "pike-fish", in reference to its pointed head.

Pikes can grow to a maximum recorded length of 1.83 metres (6 ft), reaching a maximum recorded weight of 35 kilograms (77 lb). Individuals have been reported to reach 30 years in age. They have the elongated, torpedo-like form of predatory fishes, with sharply-pointed heads and sharp teeth. Their coloration is typically grey-green with a mottled or spotted appearance. The pike's marking is like a finger print, each with different patterns.

The pike feeds on a wide range of food sources. Their primary prey is other fish, including their own kind. Their main prey is roach whenever available; they also prey on perch, eels, walleye, whitefish and minnows. They devour fish up to one-third of their own size. Pike are cannibalistic; some 20% of their diet consists of pikes smaller than themselves.

They will also prey on insects and amphibians such as newts or frogs in times when food is scarce, and occasionally on small mammals, like moles or mice when caught water-borne. Small birds such as ducklings may become a target for hungry pike. Pikes are also known to prey on swimming snakes, such as vipers. Big pike have been known to swallow adult wild ducks whole.

Pike angling is becoming an increasingly popular pastime in the UK and Europe. Effective methods for catching this hard fighting fish include dead baits, lure fishing, and jerk baiting. They are prized as game fish for their determined fighting and have been food fish since ancient times. They can easily be damaged when handled. Since they have very sharp teeth and the the teeth are numerous, it is wise to take extreme care when unhooking the pike. The angler also needs to take great care when unhooking a caught pike, as to not harm the gills. The pike should be kept out of the water for the minimum amount of time possible, and should be given some time to recover before being weighed and photographed.