Pike (Esox lucius)
Current record: 46lb 13oz
Water: Llandegfedd Reservoir, Llandegveth
The pike (Esox lucius) is a formidable freshwater fish known for its predatory nature and striking appearance. Widely distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia, the pike is a member of the Esocidae family and is highly valued by anglers for its size, strength, and aggressive behavior. Pike are often referred to as "water wolves" due to their position as apex predators in many freshwater ecosystems.
Pike are easily recognized by their elongated bodies, sharp teeth, and olive-green coloration with a mottled pattern that provides effective camouflage. They have a distinctive dorsal fin, set far back on the body, which adds to their streamlined appearance. The pike's predatory prowess is supported by its ability to lurk in the vegetation, ambushing prey with sudden bursts of speed.
As voracious carnivores, pike primarily feed on fish, but they also consume amphibians, small mammals, and waterfowl. Their feeding behavior is characterized by stalking and ambushing, and they are known for their aggressive strikes. Anglers often target pike using various lures, such as spoons, jerkbaits, and live or dead baitfish, and pike fishing is popular for the excitement and challenge it offers.
Pike play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of freshwater ecosystems by controlling populations of smaller fish species. Despite their ecological importance, pike populations can face challenges from habitat degradation, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation efforts focus on sustainable management practices, habitat restoration, and the enforcement of size and bag limits to ensure the health and resilience of pike populations.
The impressive size of pike, with some individuals exceeding 40 inches in length, contributes to their popularity in sport fishing. Anglers pursue pike for both recreational enjoyment and the thrill of landing a powerful and cunning adversary. Responsible fishing practices, catch-and-release strategies, and adherence to local regulations are vital for sustaining healthy pike populations and preserving the excitement they bring to freshwater angling.
Pike inhabit slow-moving streams, weedy, shallow areas of reservoirs and lakes, as well as cold, clear, stony waters. They behave like conventional ambush predators, lying in wait for prey while remaining completely still for extended periods of time, then striking with amazing quickness. They may live in any body of water that has fish, but good breeding grounds are also necessary. Young pike need areas to hide amongst plants due to their cannibalistic nature so they are not eaten. Rich submerged vegetation is required in both situations.
Dead baits, lure fishing, and jerk baiting are effective tactics for catching this hard-fighting fish. Due of their fierce fighting, they are coveted as game fish. When giant pike move into the shallows to spawn in weedy areas in the spring, lake fishing for pike from the shore is very productive. Many of these fish afterwards stay there to eat on other spawning coarse fish species to regain their condition after spawning. For their own safety and the little fish food that is present there, smaller jack pike frequently stay in the shallows. The larger female pike tend to retire to deeper water and/or areas with more cover during the hot summer and during inactive phases. Due to this, boat anglers may fish well both in the summer and winter.