Pike

One of the world’s finest freshwater predators, the pike is a large and impressive fish often found in rivers, canals, reservoirs and larger lakes.

A large spotted fish with a pointed mouth opens its jaws as it splashes out the water, showing strikingly sharp teeth.

Pike get their name from their long, torpedo-shaped bodies and pointed heads.

Pike facts

Scientific name	Esox lucius
Family	Esocidae
Diet	Other fish comprising roach, bream, bleak, rudd, perch, smaller pike, water birds, amphibians and voles
Predators	Otters and mink
Size	90cm
Weight	40lb
Record catch	46lb 13oz
Lifespan	Up to 25 years, but 10-15 years is more typical

Pike and our canals

Pike are fierce predators in our waters that often lay hidden among cover in slow-flowing rivers and canals. They make use of their cryptic colouring, waiting to ambush smaller fish, amphibians and even small water birds. A pike can eat prey up to half its body weight, including small ducks or moorhen.

How to identify a pike

Pike are long, slender fish with powerful, torpedo-shaped bodies. Their fins are positioned at the rear for fast acceleration. They have large, bony heads, prominent forward-looking eyes, a broad, flattened snout and a large mouth. This contains a fierce arsenal of teeth, with rows of backwards-pointing, razor-sharp teeth in the top jaw and larger needle-like teeth in the lower jaw.

Each pike has individual markings, like the fingerprints of humans. They have olive and cream colouring, which helps the pike to camouflage itself while it lies in wait for its prey.

Lifecycle of a pike

Pike spawn in shall waters at temperatures of 2-12C from the end of March into May. They lay eggs that stick to plants and hatch within 10-15 days. These young pikes are called ‘jack’, and they feed on small planktonic animals initially until they reach 4-5cm when they prey on small fish. Pikes grow quickly, with males maturing at two years.

Where to find pike

Pike are common in our waters. A 37lb pike was caught from the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in 2004, and a 42lb pike was caught from Boddington Reservoir in 2010.

How to catch a pike

While fierce looking, the pike is a very fragile fish and the utmost care must be taken when handling them.

Carl Nicholls, fisheries & angling manager

Pike prefer to hunt by sight and so thrive in the less heavily boated canals. Waters that are clear and weedy suit their predatory style. Using a spinner, plug or lure is are popular fishing method for pike – it is simple, requires minimal tackle and allows anglers to roam rather than sit in one place.

Pike can grow large, so your tackle needs to be strong. Due to the pike's sharp teeth, a wire trace is required between the lure and your main line and a large pair of forceps to remove the hook. With more experience, you can start fishing with live or dead bait. Large pike are nearly always caught using dead bait.

While fierce-looking, the pike is a very fragile fish, and you should take utmost care handling these fish on the bank and when returning them back to the water.