Northern pike are another popular game fish that can be found in rivers and lakes throughout Maine. Though an excellent sport fish, northern pike have a slightly tainted reputation due to their illegal introduction into many rivers and lakes. Unfortunately, northern pike are aggressive, predatory fish, which has led to a decline in numbers of other species in ecosystems where they have been illegally introduced.
Adult northern pike are typically around a foot in length and weigh between four and seven pounds. Larger fish are not uncommon though, particularly in Maine. Northern pike are identifiable by the sensory pores on the underside of their jaws and slender, scaled bodies. Adult pike tend to have light markings in a loose, horizontal pattern, though younger pike are more prone to having vertically aligned wavy markings. Northern pike are known to breed with chain pickerel, leading to different markings that may look similar to either or both species.
Like many predatory species, northern pike tend to prefer shallow, sheltered waters where they are able to stalk their prey. They also prefer colder waters with a rich supply of oxygen, and tend to move to the...