Pikes: Family Esocidae

Pickerels and Pikes

The family Esocidae contains 5 species of pikes.  All are found in lakes and reivers in the northern hemisphere.  Most fish grow up to almost 6 feet and 70 pounds.  They are voracious predators eating fish, frogs, birds and small mammals.  They can eat organisms that are 1/3 of their size.  

Species include: 

Grass pickerel (Esox americanus)

Northern Pike (Esox lucius)

Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)

Chain Pickerel (Esox niger)

Amur pike (Esox reicherti)