PIKE

The pike, "Esox lucius," was first discovered in the 17th century.

The pike is a freshwater fish, but it is also found in large numbers in the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea.

Its natural habitat is in the lakes and rivers of Europe, Asia, Russia, and North America. This formidable predator can reach up to 1.30 meters in length and weigh over 20 kilograms. The known record is a specimen measuring 147 cm and weighing 31 kg, caught in 1983 in Germany.

The pike is a predatory fish that feeds primarily on fish, but can also turn to other prey such as frogs, ducklings, or small mammals like rodents.

Its hunting technique is characterized by a stalking followed by a lightning attack at over 50 km/h, making it a formidable predator. The pike boasts perfect camouflage and a distinctive morphology, with an elongated, muscular body that allows it to accelerate impressively.

Its wide mouth, equipped with over 700 sharp teeth arranged in rows, leaves its prey with little chance. It uses its sight but also its "lateral lines," a sensor that allows it to detect vibrations in the water and thus locate its prey even in murky waters.

The spawning season for pike, or Esox lucius, is mainly in spring, in water temperatures between 5°C and 12°C.

Generally, the spawning season extends from March to April, or later in the northernmost regions, or depending on climatic conditions.

Pike migrate to shallow, vegetated areas to lay their eggs. A female lays approximately 15,000 to 20,000 eggs per kilogram of body weight. The eggs adhere to aquatic vegetation. The fry hatch after a few weeks, depending on the water temperature.

A man caught a pike in Sweden, close-up of the pike's lateral line.

Pike are particularly prized by sport fishermen for the violence of their attacks and their fighting style. Various techniques are used, but lure fishing for pike is the most common. With its incredible pike population, Sweden is one of the best places to hunt this predator.

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