Physical characteristics:
• Northern pike have a long, slender body with a flattened head and a large mouth.
• Their coloration can vary depending on their habitat, but they are typically dark green or brown with yellow or white spots.
• They have a long, forked tail fin and two dorsal fins, the first of which is located closer to the head than the second.
Habitat:
• Northern pike are found in a variety of freshwater habitats, including lakes, rivers, and estuaries.
• They prefer shallow, weedy areas with plenty of cover.
• They can also be found in deeper water near drop-offs or in areas with strong currents.
Diet:
• Northern pike are opportunistic predators and their diet includes a wide variety of fish, as well as amphibians, birds, and mammals.
• They are known to eat prey that is up to half their own length.
• Pike use their sharp teeth and powerful jaws to ambush their prey and swallow it whole.
Behavior:
• Northern pike are solitary fish and they are territorial.
• They are also known to be aggressive and they will often attack other fish, even those that are larger than them.
• Pike are active predators and they are most active during the day.
• They typically lie in wait in ambush before launching an attack on their prey.
Reproduction:
• Northern pike spawn in the spring.
• The females lay their eggs in shallow water near weeds or other vegetation.
• The eggs hatch after about two weeks and the fry remain near the shore until they are strong enough to swim on their own.
Conservation status:
• The northern pike is not currently considered to be a threatened or endangered species.
• However, some populations have been declining due to habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing.