Northern pike are freshwater fish known for their predatory nature. They inhabit a broad expanse of the Northern Hemisphere, adapting to diverse aquatic settings. Their widespread presence highlights their adaptability across various freshwater systems.
Global Distribution
Northern pike are found across a vast circumpolar range, spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Their distribution primarily extends across northern latitudes, with most populations residing north of 40 degrees north latitude.
In North America, their native range includes Alaska, much of Canada, and extends south into the upper Midwestern United States, including the Great Lakes Basin. They are also present in the Ohio Valley, tributaries of the Mississippi River, and states like Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Missouri.
Across Eurasia, pike are widespread in Russia, throughout Europe, and into Siberia. They have been introduced to areas like lakes in Morocco. Pike can also be found in brackish waters, notably the Baltic Sea, though they prefer freshwater.
Preferred Aquatic Environments
Pike inhabit aquatic environments offering cover and ample prey. They thrive in slow-moving or stagnant waters, such as sluggish streams, shallow lakes, and the quiet backwaters of larger rivers and creeks. These areas frequently feature abundant aquatic vegetation, including weeds, reeds, cabbage, and coontail. This dense plant growth provides ambush points for predatory fish and shelter for younger pike.
Pike prefer clear water, which aids their sight-hunting strategy. While they tolerate some turbidity, clearer conditions are favored and can correlate with larger fish size. Shallow areas are important for pike, especially during spawning, where they utilize depths less than 4 meters, sometimes as shallow as 10 to 20 inches.
Key Environmental Requirements
Northern pike survival depends on specific physical and chemical water conditions. They are a cool-water species, with an optimal temperature range for feeding and activity between 18-24°C (65-75°F). Growth rates are highest when water temperatures are between 19-21°C. Pike tolerate temperatures as low as 0.1°C, but sustained temperatures above 29°C are lethal. Spawning occurs in cooler waters, when temperatures are between 4-12°C (40-50°F).
Pike tolerate varying dissolved oxygen levels, surviving in concentrations as low as 0.3 mg/L, particularly in shallow lakes. Their activity and feeding reduce below 2 mg/L, and they seek higher oxygen concentrations if levels drop below 4 mg/L. Optimal dissolved oxygen levels for healthy fish populations are above 6.5-8 mg/L. Pike are adaptable to a wide pH range, thriving in waters with pH values between 5.0 and 9.5. These tolerances allow them to inhabit a diverse array of freshwater bodies.