Pikes (Esocidae)

Family Esocidae contains some of the most popular sport fishes in North America, including the well-known northern pike and muskellunge. Diversity among the family is limited to just one genus, with four species native to areas east of the Rocky Mountains. Stocking has occured throughout the United States, however, as the "northern" and "muskey" continue to be fisherman favorites.

Figure 1:

Figure one illustrates the family level identifieres of the Family Esocidae. These include a duckbill-like mouth, abdominal pelvic fins, an anal fin set, and a posterior dorsal fin set.

Family level identifiers. Northern Pike (Esox lucius).

Family Level Identifiers (see Fig. 1):

Body elongate.
Dorsal fin and anal fin set posteriorly.
Abdominal pelvic fins.
Mouth often described as "duck-bill-like".
Cycloid scales.
More - tips about genus identification

Habitat:

The Pike family favors sluggish stream reaches choked with vegetation (such as water willow), woody debris or similar cover that provides refuge for these ambush predators. Other preferred habits include wetlands, lakes and large rivers where aquatic vegetation and woody debris is plentiful.

Pollution Tolerance:

In general terms, family Esocidae is moderately tolerant of pollution and habitat disturbance. It should be noted, however, that pikes are susceptible to damming, ditching, dredging and draining due to their habitat and spawning requirements. For example, White (1975) found that northern pike populations in Lake Erie and its tributaries have continued to decline since 1885 wherever dredging and draining was extensive.

Use in IBI:

Family Esocidae contains top-tier predators that are reported under Metric 9: Percent Top Carnivores. In addition, the general presence of this family is accounted for in several other metrics, such as Metric 1: Total Number of Fish Species.

Table 1. Tolerance designations for selected pikes.
Species Name	Common Name	Pollution Tolerance	Habitat Disturbance
Esox americanus americanus	Redfin Pickerel	M	NR
Esox americanus vermiculatus	Grass Pickerel	M	MI
Esox lucius	Northern Pike	M	MI
Esox masquinongy	Muskellunge	M	NR
Esox niger	Chain Pickerel	M	I

Key
Pollution Tolerance	Habitat Disturbance
T = Tolerant	T = Tolerant
M = Intermediate	MT = Moderately Tolerant
I = Intolerant	MI = Moderately Intolerant
NR = No ranking	I = Intolerant
	NR = No ranking

Biological Indicators | Aquatic Biodiversity | Statistical Primer

Pikes (Esocidae)

Family Level Identifiers (see Fig. 1):

Habitat:

Pollution Tolerance:

Use in IBI:

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