Life Cycle and other essential information on Pike
The Pike (Esox lucius)
Family: ESOCIDAE
Genus: Esox
Species: lucius
British rod caught record: 46 lb 13 oz (21.234 kg), Llandegfedd Reservoir, Wales, 1992
Range (Great Britain)
Indigenous, widespread and common.
Habitat
Lakes, slow flowing rivers and canals where oxygen levels are reasonably high. Pike do however to a lesser extent occur in fast flowing rivers, but are generally sedentary and do not swim far from the cover of plants.
Biology
Breeds February to May. Brown eggs measuring from 2.5 to 3mm in diameter are attached to weeds in standing or slow-flowing water. Larvae hatch between one and two weeks later, remaining among the vegetation until the yolk sac has been absorbed. Growth is normally fast and maturity is reached in two to four years when the fish are 25 to 40 cm long. Food invertebrates when small, fish when large. Amphibians and the young of water fowl are also eaten opportunistically.
Identification
Characteristic shape is constant but the colour is highly variable. The back is usually dark green or brown, the sides paler or mottled with dark green, brown or yellow patches or bars. The long head and strong toothed jaws and dorsal and anal fins which are placed well towards the tail make the pike unmistakable.