The Northern Pike or jackfish, live in many of the lakes, rivers, and sloughs of Alaska. They are found from the Interior of Alaska to the Arctic coast, from the Canadian border to the Seward Peninsula, and from Southwest Alaska to the Bristol Bay drainages. Only a few pike are found south of the Alaska Range.

The pike is the same species that is popular with mid-western anglers. It has an elongated body and head. The snout is broad and flat, shaped something like a duckbill. The jaws, roof of the mouth, tongue and gills are armed with lots of sharp teeth. There is one dorsal fin that is located near the end of the body. A pike from a clear stream will be lighter while a pike from a dark slough is darker, which is and evolutionary development.

Male and female pike fish are similar in their appearance, but females live longer and get bigger in size than males.

Spawning occurs in spring after the ice goes out. A 25-30 pound female can contain up to five hundred-thousand eggs! Spawning is accomplished when the male and female rub their underparts vigorously.

Young pike feed on small crustaceans and bugs. A bigger one will eat smaller fish, shore birds, ducks, bugs, muskrats, and shrews. Pike have a bad rap among many people and are often served to dogs for food. But, since many former midwesterners have settled in Alaska, pike have become the most important game fish in the Interior. They are also a favorite among the Yupik people in Southwest Alaska. If you want to fish for pike with rod and reel, use a wire leader so that the line will not be bitten off by its teeth.

Mary June Tinker