Pike

Esox Lucius

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TypeType
FishFish
StatusStatus
CommonCommon
WidespreadWidespread
SeasonSeason
SpringSpring
SummerSummer
AutumnAutumn
WinterWinter
Pike can be found all along the Montgomery Canal, but your best bet is where the water is particularly clear, such as around Abermule heading towards Newtown, and around Belan near Welshpool.
This large freshwater fish, which can grow over a metre in length, is the ultimate predator.

Usually found in slow-flowing rivers and lakes, it’s also present in canals with a lot of vegetation, such as the Montgomery Canal. The Pike will use the vegetation strategically as hiding places, suddenly darting out to catch fish, frogs, small mammals or ducklings.

Pike spawn between March and May each year. They usually return to the same place and the female will produce up to 500,000 eggs.

Because of the Pike’s size and predatory nature, there are numerous stories about huge ones. The largest caught in the UK was in a lake in Wales and it weighed 21kg, about a third of the weight of a woman.
This olive green coloured fish has creamy blotches, a flattened snout and a mouth full of teeth. From above, you can recognise it thanks to its long, slender body and narrow tapered head.
Record Sighting