NORTHERN PIKE (Esox lucius)

Color:	Greenish sides, darker tops and yellowish white belly	Northern pike, with their rows of sharp teeth and deadly stealth, are regarded as being the most ferocious predators in Alaska's rivers and lakes.  They are the only fish known to eat animals such as ducks, muskrat and other creatures that carelessly swim into their domain. The ease of hooking one and the excitement of the fight that ensues, makes this toothy-monster a popular sport fish.
Size:	5 - 10 lbs. average, up to 30 lbs and 4 ft.
Method:	Cast into slower, shallow water and weedy areas
Gear:	Light to medium spinning and fly rods Steel leaders necessary All tackle / flies work
Range:	Interior lakes and streams with favorable habitat Largest, natural populations: Yukon and Tanana drainages, plus Brooks Range and west coast area Some have been introduced in South-central and Susitna
Season:	Year-round, peak May to September
Taste:	Firm white meat, pleasant if cooked properly Recipes
Record:	38-pounds, Innoko River, Jack Wagner 1991
Back Issues:	"Water Wolf" March 2003

Appearance

Pike are torpedo-shaped and have an aerodynamically shaped head. Their snout is broad and flat and almost resembles that of a duck, but not as innocent. Their entire mouth, including gillrakers and tongue, are lined with sharp teeth that are constantly being replaced. Their fins and tail are similar to most fish, but their dorsal fin is short and located closer to their tail than their head. Their elongated body is mostly greenish with notable darker colors along the top and a whitish or yellowish underbelly. Dark spots are also common on their sides and juveniles commonly have lighter colors and vertical stripes. Both sexes look similar, but females have a longer lifespan and reach larger sizes. Alaska rears pike of up to 20 to 30 pounds that can span up to 4 feet. However, average size ranges between 5 and 10 pounds.

Location

Pike are found in habitats of slow and murky water with lots of vegetation. Pike generally favor weedy sloughs of lakes and rivers and also shallow water. In a river, pike are most likely to be found in back eddies and very near the bank. In lakes, they are often seen floating nearly motionless at mid-depths in shallow water. Upon spotting prey, they stealthily dart for it without hesitation or second thought.

The largest, natural populations of pike reside in the Yukon and Tanana River drainages.  Their natural range also extends north to the Brooks Range and from there to the sub-arctic coast.  As a hardy fish that can easily withstand live transport, they have been illegally introduced to areas of South-central, primarily the Susitna River.  There are no pike in the Southeast except for a small lake population near Yakutat.  Illegally stocking pike can devastate natural fish populations and also carries heavy fines.   

Diet

Upon juvenile pike reaching just 2 inches, they will begin preying on other fish species. Adult pike primarily eat a hearty diet of fish, but birds such as ducks and even large vermin such as muskrat are at risk. Pike also eat each other. For example, biologists from the Alaska Fish & Game found a 4-pound pike in the stomach of a 12-pound pike.

Angling Methods

Pike are aggressive and will strike at almost anything you throw at them. The more action your lure or fly produces, the better. Almost all spoons and lures work and spinners are a favorite. Regardless of your choice of tackle though, you must use a steel or wire leader.

Top water tackle and flies are also effective and exciting, especially in calm water. Large mouse patterns are effective for fly fishing and plastic or wooden frogs work equally well for spinning rods. One advantage of using top water tackle is that your less likely to pickup weeds or become snagged. Pike will often lay in shallow water that is difficult to fish. In winter, ice fishing in deeper lakes will yield pike but they can be difficult to find unless you are at a lake where they are notorious.

Play it safe

It cannot be stressed enough that due to a pike's razor-sharp teeth, steel leaders are a must. Care must also be taken when removing hooks because a pike can easily cut human flesh. Needle nose pliers or other similar fishing tools are also a necessity. Elongated removal tools are handy because even the smallest of pike can engulf a large hook far down their throat. Barbless hooks should be used when practicing catch and release. More advanced anglers should consider using single-hooks. Large hooks can be deadly to smaller pike because they can puncture beyond the mouth and into the head. Smaller hooks are just as effective in enticing pike, are easier to remove and fatally injure fewer fish.

Life History

Pike spawn in the spring after breakup. A 25- to 30-pound female can lay as many as many as a half million eggs in the weedy areas of lakes, rivers or sloughs. The sticky eggs cling to grass, rocks and other debris and can incubate for as long as 30 days. Newly hatched pike are predators from the day they are born and feed on insects and small crustaceans.

During winter months, pike that reside in shallower lakes in the summer are forced to move into deeper rivers due to thick ice and oxygen depletion. Pike in deeper lakes will usually stay through the winter. During summertime, pike will not travel very far if food is available.

Pike have a slow growth rate. A 12-inch fish may already be 2 to 3 years old.
At 25-inches (or 5 pounds), they may be 6 to 8 years old. Pike over 15 pounds could be anywhere from 10 to 17 years old. Pike in colder waters such as those of the Brooks Range have even slower growth rates.

Fish Alaska Magazine