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Animal profile

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

ActinopterygiiWeedy margins of cool lakes, slow rivers and backwatersLeast Concern

Field profile

The northern pike is a long, cylindrical ambush predator with a duck-billed snout and dorsal and anal fins set far back for explosive acceleration. It hunts from cover in weed beds. Adults commonly reach half a metre to a metre.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-09-03

Northern Pike

The pike strike is powered like a spring

A pike's lunge accelerates faster than its muscle alone should allow. Like other fast-striking fishes it pre-loads tension in tendon and body wall before releasing, and the fins set far back on the body deliver almost all the thrust in a single stroke.

Read with evidence →

Northern Pike | Daily Animal Facts