Untitled

Northern pike (Esox lucius)
(Fertilized Egg)

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
354 Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 109 -
Depth Characteristic

Details
- No nest is made but eggs are strewn in shallow areas over vegetation.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
355 Temperature Optimum 9°11°C 365 109

Details
Temperatures of 9°11°C are reported as best for incubation.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
356 Temperature Example 289 109

Details
Eggs hatched in 2329 days at 6°C, 1619 days at 8°C, 812 days at 12°C,
and 45 days at 18°20°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
357 Iron Lethal - 381 109
Temperature Lethal
Oxygen Example
CO₂ Example

Details
The most critical stages seem to be from fertilization to the closing of the
blastopore and from hatching to the end of the alevin stage. Toxic iron
compounds and rapid temperature change were most critical, with little
evidence that oxygen or CO₂ concentrations were involved.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
358 Water Level Requirement 292 109

Details
High water levels in the spring maintained at least a month after spawning
are favorable for good year-classes.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
712 Pred/Prey Example 111 -

Details
Northern pike, saugers, bullheads, burbot, and yellow bass have been known
to feed on walleye YOY.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1159 Phys. Assoc. Requirement 822 798

Details
If the muskellunge spawn on vegetation, enough structure is provided to keep
eggs off the bottom yet allow for the circulation of water (as with
northern pike).

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1268 South Dakota Phys. Assoc. Optimum 896 822
Water Level Limit

Details
Shallow vegetated areas (flooded marshes, flooded terrestrial vegetation, or
weedy bays) provide suitable habitat, provided that high water levels are
maintained throughout the embryo and fry stages.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1294 South Dakota Siltation Limit ³1 mm/day 896 822

Details
Northern pike embryos are sensitive to high siltation rates (³1 mm/day), as
in waters with extensive wave action and bank slumping.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1295 Oxygen Requirement 4.5 mg/l up 928 822
to 19°C

Details
A DO concentration of 4.5 mg/l is adequate for embryo development and
survival at temperatures 19°C (50% saturation) and a low flow rate
(30 ml/min). Concentrations of 3.2 mg/l (33% saturation) or less are
unsuitable for embryos and larvae.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1296 Temperature Characteristic 289 822
932
Details
Average incubation length is ~26 days at 6°C, 17 days at 8°C, 12 days at
10°C, 9 days at 12°C, 6 days at 14°C, and 5 days at 16°-20°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1297 Temperature Lethal 16°C 289 822

Details
Egg mortality is high at incubation temperatures >16°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1298 Temperature Optimum 9°15°C 908 822

Details
Maximum hatching success for incubation temperatures was 9°-15°C. The
tolerance of embryos to temperatures outside of this range increases quickly
after fertilization.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1299 Temperature Optimum 6.4°17.7°C 897 822

Details
Optimal range for egg incubation is 6.4°-17.7°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1300 South Dakota Temperature Lethal 5°C 896 822
Temperature Tolerate

Details
- Most eggs die when temperatures drop to (or remain near) 5°C, but embryos
can tolerate diel temperature fluctuations up to 4°C if temperatures stay in
the suitable range.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1301 Hydrogen Limit .004.006 ppm 799 822
Sulphide

Details
Hydrogen sulfide concentrations >0.004 to 0.006 ppm (96hour exposure)
decrease growth and survival of sac fry.

Northern pike (Esox lucius)
Lake Erie (Juvenile)

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1309 Oxygen Limit 530 822

Details
YOY northern pike (12-38 g) showed signs of stress when held for 20-24
hours at DO concentrations <6 ppm (temperature 21°-22°C). Feeding ceased
at concentrations of 2 ppm, and none of the test fish survived more than
20 hours at 1 ppm.

Northern pike (Esox lucius)
(Juvenile)

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
357 Iron Lethal 381 109
Temperature Lethal
Oxygen Example
CO₂ Example

Details
The most critical stages seem to be from fertilization to the closing of
the blastopore and from hatching to the end of the alevin stage. Toxic
iron compounds and rapid temperature change were most critical, with little
evidence that oxygen or CO₂ concentrations were involved.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
361 Pred/Prey Characteristic 381 109

Details
Insects may be important as an intermediate stage, 2040 mm.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
362 Pred/Prey Characteristic 109 -

Details
Beyond 5065 mm, pike are almost exclusively predatory with fish as the
primary food.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
363 Wisconsin Pred/Prey Example 360 109

Details
Rainbow trout were more susceptible to pike predation than brown trout.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
365 General - 375 109

Details
Pike was considered a poor bioassay animal because it remains a suitable
size only a short part of the year, requires live food, and is excitable
under test conditions.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
646 Pred/Prey Characteristic 111 -

Details
A number of fish species feed on walleye fry. These species include yellow
perch, white bass, yellow bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow smelt, saugers,
bullheads, burbot, and (most importantly) northern pike.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
712 Pred/Prey Example 111 -

Details
Northern pike, saugers, bullheads, burbot, and yellow bass have been known
to feed on walleye YOY.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1277 Temperature Limit 28°C 880 822

Details
In the laboratory, young northern pike do not grow at temperatures of
28°C, even when fed ad libitum.

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1278 Temperature Lethal 32°C 832 822

Details
Temperatures >32°C can cause death within two days.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1281 Oxygen Lethal <1.5 mg/l 880 822
at 28°C
Details
- The lower incipient lethal concentration is still relatively low
(<1.5 mg/l) at 28°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1282 Oxygen Tolerate 822 -

Details
Tolerance of low DO conditions is inversely related to size for juvenile
and adult northern pike.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1289 Nebraska pH Limit 9.09.5 6 822

Details
Fingerling and larger northern pike can survive a pH level in the 9.0-9.5
range, but it is not clear whether successful reproduction can occur at the
upper limit of this range.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1307 Temperature Optimum 880 822

Details
YOY and yearling northern pike fed ad libitum grew in weight most rapidly
at 19°C. Maximum growth in length occurred at 21°C. Growth rate increased
sharply at temperatures >10°C but was positive (~4% of the maximum) even at
3°-4°C. No growth occurred >28°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1308 Oxygen Limit <7 ppm at 876 822
18.6°C
Details
DO concentrations <7 ppm (77% saturation) resulted in reduced growth rates
of juvenile northern pike at a temperature of 18.6°C and a flow rate of
0.24 ml/sec.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1311 Temperature Tolerate <4°C 880 822

Details
Temperatures <4°C are stressful for juvenile or adult northern pike when
cooling is gradual.

Northern pike (Esox lucius)
(Larva)

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
344 Manitoba Alkalinity Example 344 109

Details
Fry are apparently more sensitive to alkalinity than adult pike. A small
number of pugheaded (shortened head) pike were found in Manitoba and have
been reported from Europe.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
358 Water Level Requirement 292 109

Details
High water levels in the spring maintained at least a month after spawning
are favorable for good year-classes.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
359 Pred/Prey Characteristic - 109 -

Details
The first food of young pike are microcrustaceans.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
360 Pred/Prey Characteristic 337 109

Details
Fish larvae may be eaten before reaching 13 mm. By 34 mm the food may be
almost exclusively fish.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
646 Pred/Prey Characteristic 111 -

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1268 South Dakota Phys. Assoc. Optimum 896 822
Water Level Limit

Details
- Shallow vegetated areas (flooded marshes, flooded terrestrial vegetation, or
weedy bays) provide suitable habitat, provided that high water levels are
maintained throughout the embryo and fry stages.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1271 Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 822 -
Movement Characteristic

Details
Young northern pike eventually disperse from spawning areas, but pike of all
ages continue to frequent shallow areas with vegetation.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1287 pH Lethal 900 822

Details
Cumulative mortality of fry held at a pH of 4.2 (range 4.0-4.3) was 96.5%,
at a pH of 5.2 (range 4.7-6.0) was 25.6%, and at a pH of 6.8 (range 6.5-7.2)
was 17%.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1301 Hydrogen Limit .004.006 ppm 799 822
Sulphide

Details
Hydrogen sulfide concentrations >0.004 to 0.006 ppm (96hour exposure)
decrease growth and survival of sac fry.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1302 Movement Characteristic 898 822
Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 893

Details
Immediately after hatching, fry are very active. Within the first day,
however, most attach to vegetation, where they remain for several days
while the yolk sac is being absorbed.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1303 Light Limit 381 822
Movement Characteristic 891

Details
Emigration is inhibited by low light intensity. Prolonged periods of
overcast weather might extend the emigration period.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1304 Movement Characteristic 922 822
Water Level Limit

Details
Other factors (water level and food supply) may also determine when the fry
depart.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1305 Temperature Lethal <5.8°C 908 822

Details
Survival is poor at temperatures <5.8°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1306 Temperature Optimum 21°26°C 897 822

Details
The optimal temperature for growth and survival of fry increases from
~21°C shortly after hatching to 26°C after 1-2 weeks.

Northern pike (Esox lucius)
(Non-spawning Adult)

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
342 North Dakota Salinity Lethal 6 109
Saskatchewan

Details
Pike were eliminated from Devil's Lake, North Dakota, when salinity increased
from 0.8% to 1.5%. However, they are present in Quill Lake, Saskatchewan,
with a salinity of 1.6%.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
343 Nebraska Alkalinity Example 6 109
pH Example

Details
In Nebraska, they are found in water with <1000 ppm alkalinity and to a pH
of 9.5, although they were somewhat bleached in color in waters of high
alkalinity. No spawning occurred when alkalinity reached 40% in 10 months
in Big Alkali Lake, Nebraska.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
344 Manitoba Alkalinity Example 344 109

Details
Fry are apparently more sensitive to alkalinity than adult pike. A small
number of pugheaded (shortened head) pike were found in Manitoba and have
been reported from Europe.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
362 Pred/Prey Characteristic 109 -

Details
Beyond 5065 mm, pike are almost exclusively predatory with fish as the
primary food.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
363 Wisconsin Pred/Prey Example 360 109

Details
Rainbow trout were more susceptible to pike predation than brown trout.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
364 Light Characteristic 349 109
337
Details
Feeding is almost exclusively in the daytime.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
646 Pred/Prey Characteristic 111 -

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
658 Competitors Example 63 -

Details
Walleye compete with such piscivorous fish as northern pike, yellow perch,
sauger, and smallmouth bass. Northern pike is probably the most important.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
770 Pred/Prey Example 63 -
112

Details
Almost all warm- to cold-water predatory fish will eat perch, including
basses (Morone spp. and Micropterus spp.), sunfish, crappies, walleye,
sauger, pike, muskellunge, and lake trout.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
798 Ontario Turbidity Characteristic 1.22.6 ppm 73 -
Alkalinity Characteristic 2260 ppm
Disssolved Characteristic 4783 ppm
Solids

Details
In ten lakes considered good walleye, lake whitefish, and northern pike
lakes, turbidity ranged from 1.2 to 2.6 ppm (JTU), total alkalinity ranged
from 22-60 ppm, and total dissolved solids from 47-83 ppm.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1147 Water Level Limit 808 798
Competitors Limit
Alkalinity Limit

Details
A study that examined a variety of information on watershed characteristics,
water chemistry, hydrology, fish communities, and cultural perturbations
found that nine variables (out of 94) accounted for 57% of the variability in
muskellunge reproduction. Conditions in identified lakes most strongly
promoting natural reproduction were limited northern pike abundance, rising
springtime water level, high alkalinity, a high shoreline development factor,
and drainage lake systems that increase lake area and allow rising spring
water levels.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1210 Competitors Limit 810 798
823
Details
The invasion of native muskellunge lakes by northern pike is often followed
by the establishment of pike and subsequent decline of muskellunge.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1211 Competitors Limit 1132 798

Details
Increased angling pressure may work in favor of northern pike and be
detrimental to muskellunge.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1212 Competitors Limit 823 798
Pred/Prey Lethal

Details
- Earlier spring spawning, shorter generation time, a more-aggressive nature,
and greater food-conversion efficiency have been suggested as possible
advantages for the northern pike. Predation by YOY northern pike on YOY
muskellunge is the most attractive hypothesis. In lakes with viable
populations of both species, there must be sufficient spawning habitat to
permit spatial separation of the species.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1213 Competitors Limit 798 823

Details
Cultural development may be responsible for northern pike outcompeting
muskellunge. Northern pike may be favored by cooler temperatures and more
lentic habitat. Cultural development often results in the conversion of
lotic habitat to lentic habitat. Since the muskellunge is more adapted to
life in flowing waters, this phenomenon favors the morelentic northern pike.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1253 Light Characteristic 879 822
885
Details
Northern pike are visual predators and are primarily day active.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1269 Water Level Limit 901 822
884
Details 925 923
Weak yearclasses in impoundments and natural environments are associated 913
with low water levels. 929

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1270 Water Level Limit 931 822

Details
Northern pike do not do well in reservoirs with widely fluctuating water
levels because nearshore vegetation does not develop.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1272 Alberta Depth Characteristic <4 m 887 822
Area of Water Characteristic

Details
Nine tagged northern pike (1.6-4.1 kg) in an eutrophic Alberta lake generally
remained in areas with submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation, in water
<4 m deep, and within 300 m of shore.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1273 Depth Characteristic 822 -

Details
Depth does not appear to be the factor determining depth distribution of
northern pike. Depth distribution is in response to differences in
temperature, DO, vegetation, and food.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1274 Michigan Depth Limit 920 822
Temperature Limit 914
918
Details
Northern pike rarely venture below the thermocline.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1275 - Depth Limit 13.7 m 920 822
Depth Characteristic £7.9 m
Phys. Assoc. Prefer

Details
In Douglas Lake, Michigan, a welldefined thermocline typically forms at a
depth of 12.2-13.7 m (13.7 m was the maximum depth at which northern pike
were captured). Other northern pike collected in this study were caught at
depths £7.9 m, which coincides with the lower (lakeward) depth limit of
aquatic vegetation. Eleven of these 21 pike were caught at depths of
7.6-7.9 m. This might indicate that pike prefer the interface between
vegetation and open water.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1276 Phys. Assoc. Prefer 881 822

Details
Underwater observations of northern pike in an Alberta lake also indicated
an attraction to this boundary zone (between heavy vegetation and open
water). The edges of vegetated areas would provide good cover for feeding
activities.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1279 Oxygen Tolerate 0.10.4 mg/l 842 822
859
Details 531
If the change to low DO is gradual, northern pike can tolerate
concentrations as low as 0.1-0.4 mg/l for at least several days.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1280 Minnesota Oxygen Lethal <1 mg/l 902 822
929

Details
A prolonged period with DO concentrations <1.0 mg/l, however, appears to
cause partial or complete winterkill.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1282 Oxygen Tolerate 822 -

Details
Tolerance of low DO conditions is inversely related to size for juvenile
and adult northern pike.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1283 Depth Characteristic 26 m 822 -
Phys. Assoc. Characteristic
Clarity Characteristic 24 m
Dissolved Characteristic 50125 mg/l
Solids
pH Characteristic

Details
Lakes with northern pike typically have mean depths of 2-6 m, littoral
(£6.1 m deep) areas which are 60%-80% of the total surface area, Secchi-disk
transparencies of 2-4 m, total dissolved solids (TDS) levels between 50 and
125 mg/l, and a near-neutral or slightly acidic [rest of detail is incomplete].

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1284 Competitors Limit 822 -
Area of Water Limit

Details
In lakes where both northern pike and lake trout occur, pike are usually
confined to the perimeter or to island/shoal areas.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1285 Eutrophication Characteristic 880 822
1136
Details
Although northern pike occur in oligotrophic waters, they are more typical
of mesotrophic or borderline eutrophic conditions.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1286 pH Tolerate 5 895 822

Details
- Selfsustaining populations of northern pike can persist at a pH level as
low as 5.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1288 Saskatchewan pH Limit 8.9 919 822
917
Details
Northern pike occur in lakes with a pH of 8.9.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1289 Nebraska pH Limit 9.09.5 6 822

Details
Fingerling and larger northern pike can survive a pH level in the 9.0-9.5
range, but it is not clear whether successful reproduction can occur at the
upper limit of this range.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1310 Ontario Temperature Optimum 880 822

Details
Maximum growth in length of age-2 and age-3 northern pike in an Ontario
lake occurred at ~20°C. Fish of similar age reared in the lab grew best at
approximately 21°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1311 Temperature Tolerate <4°C 880 822

Details
Temperatures <4°C is stressful for juvenile or adult northern pike when cooling
is gradual.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No. 1312 Alberta Temperature Tolerate ~1°C 886 822

Details
Male northern pike in an Alberta lake achieved ~35% of their total growth
during the winter at temperatures near 1°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1313 Alberta Temperature Lethal 877 822

Details
A sizeable northern pike kill occurred when water temperatures in an
Alberta lake receiving heated effluent dropped from 21.8°C to 4.9°C within
30 minutes after a power-plant shutdown.

Northern pike (Esox lucius)
Lake St. Clair (Spawning Adult)

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
946 Mattagami River Movement Example 1 -
Whist Falls
LaDuke Rapids

Details
[Detail not provided.]

Northern pike (Esox lucius)
(Spawning Adult)

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No. 343 Nebraska Alkalinity Example 6 109
pH Example

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
345 Minnesota Temperature Example 421 109
(hatchery)

Details
Spawning begins at 7°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
346 Oneida Lake Temperature Example 256 109

Details
Spawning begins at 8°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
347 Ohio Temperature Example 409 109

Details
Spawning begins at 9°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
348 Temperature Example 331 109

Details
Spawning begins at 9°14°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
349 Saskatchewan Temperature Example 312 109

Details
Spawning begins at 13°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
350 Temperature Example 401 109

Details
Spawning begins at 5°11°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
351 Movement Characteristic 381 109
Area of Water Characteristic
Temperature Characteristic

Details
Adults begin moving to streams or flooded marshes at temperatures of 1°4.5°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
352 Movement Characteristic 408 109
Area of Water Characteristic
Ice Characteristic

Details
Adults begin moving to streams or flooded marshes under the ice before
breakup.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
353 Movement Characteristic 381 109
Light Characteristic Night

Details
Most spawning movement is at night and there is no evidence of homing.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
354 Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 109 -
Depth Characteristic

Details
No nest is made but eggs are strewn in shallow areas over vegetation.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1147 Water Level Limit 808 798
Competitors Limit
Alkalinity Limit

Details
A study that examined a variety of information on watershed characteristics,
water chemistry, hydrology, fish communities, and cultural perturbations
found that nine variables (out of 94) accounted for 57% of the variability
in muskellunge reproduction. Conditions in identified lakes most strongly
promoting natural reproduction were limited northern pike abundance, rising
springtime water level, high alkalinity, a high shoreline development factor,
and drainage lake systems that increase lake area and allow rising spring
water levels.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1254 Temperature Characteristic 8°12°C 1134 905 822
912 917
Details 409
Northern pike spawn in spring, shortly after iceout, when the water has 890
warmed to 8°-12°C. 381

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1255 - Movement Characteristic 822 -

Details
Movement to spawning grounds often begins before all ice has melted.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1256 Minnesota Movement Characteristic 1135 822
Michigan 381

Details
Upstream spawning migrations out of lakes in Michigan and Minnesota occurred
as soon as there was sufficient clearance between inshore ice and the bottom
to permit passage.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1257 Alberta Temperature Limit <5.5°C 921 822

Details
Upstream movement of northern pike was interrupted when water temperature
<5.5°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1258 Kansas Temperature Limit 13°C 925 822

Details
Most females have completed spawning by the time temperatures >13°C.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1259 Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 933 822
Depth Characteristic 409
Water Motion Characteristic 889

Details
Spawning occurs over vegetation in areas of calm, shallow water.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1260 Movement Characteristic 878 822
Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 926
921
Details 907
There is a strong tendency to migrate up tributaries to flooded marshes, 894
wetlands, or shallow pools among both lake and river populations.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No. 1261 Phys. Assoc. Example 911 822
Area of Water Example 899
893
Details
Flooded terrestrial vegetation and shallow, weedy bays or backwaters may
also be used.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1262 Phys. Assoc. Limit 889 822
890
Details
The absence of inundated vegetation can inhibit or delay spawning.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1263 Light Limit 409 822
890
Details
Northern pike do not spawn at night.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1264 Temperature Limit 409 822
Water Level Limit 890
Rainfall Limit 904
Water Motion Limit

Details
Spawning may be interrupted by cold weather, water-level drawdowns, strong
wind, or rain.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1265 Michigan Movement Example 878 822

Details
Pike tagged during the upstream spawning run from a Michigan lake were
subsequently recaptured up to 15 km away in the lake.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1266 Movement Characteristic 822 -

Details
The degree to which northern pike home to particular spawning grounds is
unclear.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1267 Water Motion Limit >1.5 m/s 888 822

Details
Strong currents (>1.5 m/s) can block spawning migrations.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1290 Phys. Assoc. Optimum 890 822

Details
Optimal spawning substrate for northern pike is a dense mat of short
vegetation in a shallow windsheltered area.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1291 Phys. Assoc. Characteristic 889 822
891
Details
The type of vegetation is not critical for spawning.

Ref. No. Locality (Stock) Factor(s) Influence(s) Data Primary Ref. No. Review No.
1293 - Phys. Assoc. Prefer - 381 822
921
Details 905
Grasses or sedges are preferred as spawning vegetation. 911