Northern pike are a prized subsistence and sport fish in their home range, north and west of the Alaska Mountain Range. Bradley says that the department is … This April 2011 photo released by the U.S. Geological Survey shows an aerial view of backwater habitat for invasive northern pike off of Alexander Creek in the Susitna Basin of south-central Alaska. Pike are top-level predators in aquatic food chains and are highly piscivorous (fish eating). In addition, ADF&G has a management plan for invasive northern pike … The range of northern pike in North America extends from Alaska through Canada to the upper mid-western portion of the United States. In some cases, several countries have reported adverse ecological effects resulting from these northern pike introductions. The northern pike (Esox lucius), known simply as a pike in Britain, Ireland, most of Canada, and most parts of the United States (once called luce when fully grown; also called jackfish or simply "northern" in the U.S. Upper Midwest and in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan), is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox (the pikes). One report indicates that the world record northern pike weighed 55 pounds and was caught in Germany in 1983. In Alaska, a northern pike longer than 40 inches or 15 pounds is considered trophy-sized. May 2014 Alaska Department of Fish and Game Divisions of Sport Fish and Commercial Fisheries If northern pike were to become established in California, they would pose a serious threat to many native fish species populations, including salmon and trout. Alaska Region Conserving the Nature of America The mission of the U.S. One report indicates that the world record northern pike weighed 55 pounds and was caught in Germany in 1983. Northern pike occur naturally in most of Alaska, but they are not native to Southcentral. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 2327 University Way Suite 2, Bozeman, Montana 59715, USA 14-11 Control Efforts for Invasive Northern Pike on the Kenai Peninsula, 2009 . For example, when food sources are scarce, cannibalism develops, starting around five weeks in a small percentage of populations. Actions Taken if Found Per California Code of Regulations (Title 14), any northern pike found in California shall … However, illegal introductions of pike into Southcentral Alaska … 1.2 Northern Pike Introductions (Native Range) Northern pike … for detecting invasive northern pike (Esox lucius) in Alaska Adam J. Sepulveda1,*, Patrick R. Hutchins1, Robert L. Massengill2 and Kristine J. Dunker3 1U.S. Three Washington Native tribes are joining two state agencies and two public utility districts in targeting the northern pike. This cannibalism occurs when the ratio of predator to prey is two to one. There is a small, isolated population near Yakutat. Educate yourself about Invasive Species in Alaska and in your specific area. The Alaska Board of Fisheries also relaxed Southcentral pike fishing regulations by allowing anglers to keep all the pike they catch, and by allowing additional gear, such as spears and bowfishing, and made it illegal to return live pike captured in the Susitna Drainage. That’s a big species of fish that’s caught for sport in the upper Midwest, but which fisheries biologists say poses huge potential damage to Northwest salmon runs. For more information, please visit this interactive map of invasive northern pike waters in Southcentral Alaska: Interactive Map of Invasive Northern Pike in Southcentral Alaska. Special Publication No. Special Publication No. It was caught from the Innoko River in 1991. Northern pike are one of the highest priority threats in Alaska (ADF&G 2002) and their control outside of their native range is the focus of this management plan.