Pike - Esox lucius

The fish has a flat, broad, almost duck-like snout and an elongated, streamlined body with dorsal and anal fins placed well back. The colour of the fish varies with its habitat, those living in weeded waters being predominantly mottled green and yellow. Fish from brackish waters are more yellowish. Pike turn darker with age, old specimens becoming brown or even greyish.

Pike can be found in many water bodies provided there is plenty of oxygen and a neutral or alkaline pH. They occur in lakes with plenty of vegetation, rivers and creeks. They occasionally venture into brackish water.

All year round.

Pike catch their food largely by stealth and lightning-fast acceleration, taking their prey unawares. A large adult Pike will eat Roach, Rudd, Dace and Perch, Trout and Salmon, and even other members of their own species. They will also take frogs, newts, crayfish and they have been known to catch ducklings and small mammals.

Common and widespread in Britain.

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland. Found in larger, slow flowing rivers (especially the Soar, Wreake and Welland), and possibly under recorded in lakes and canals (strong presence in the Grand Union Canal).