Northern pike

Northern pike is the most common inland water fish species. It has an elongated and evenly slim body, sharp teeth, large mouth and tail-located fins, all characteristic for a predatory fish. The sides of pike are green with pale yellow rows of spots. At its best, pike can live up to 30 years old and grow 20 kilos in weight and over a meter in length. The species spawns in the spring after breaking up of ice.

Northern pike lives in inland and coastal waters and is not demanding considering its habitat. Northern pike thrives in rather low waters in the middle of aquatic vegetation, and faithful to its habitat it spends its life on a fairly small area. It is native to Eurasia and North America. 

Northern pike is an opportunistic predator and feeds on the best available fish species. Its diet may also include small mammals, chicks of aquatic birds and, at need, its own kind. Northern pike is a popular catch and food fish. It has hardly any natural enemies since along with humans it is occasionally caught by some bird species and otters. Northern pike has also had its role in the Finnish mythology. 

Northern pike is classified as a least concern species. It is helpful species since it, as a predator, regulates fish populations and thus controls eutrophication of waters.