Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Identification: Partly scaled opercle; fully scaled cheek. Rows of yellow bean-shaped spots.

Range: Atlantic , Arctic , Pacific, Great Lakes , and Mississippi River basins from Labrador to AK and south to PA, MO, and NE. Widely introduced. Common

Habitat: Clear vegetated lakes; quiet pools and backwaters of creeks and small to large rivers.

Similar Species: Muskellunge has pattern of dark marks on light background, no scales on lower half of cheek, 16-19 branchiostegal rays, 6-10 submandibular pores

Petersons Field Guide: Freshwater Fishes