Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- The body is long and slender, resembling a pole or spear. This elongated shape is the origin of its name 'pike'.
- Look for a long, flat, pointed snout (sometimes called 'pointy nose' or 'long head') that distinguishes it from most other freshwater fish.
- Northern pike grow notably larger than many similar-looking fish, with some individuals reaching nearly 5 feet long and over 60 pounds.
- Pike are found across the Northern Hemisphere in fresh water, so location alone (cold northern lakes and rivers) is a strong identification clue.