How Much Does a Northern Pike Grow Each Year?

A trophy Northern pike.

The Northern pike is a popular sports fish that inhabits most of North America. The pike's growth depends on the latitude in which it is found. In northern latitudes, the fish grows faster than those in southern latitudes.

Hatchlings

When the Northern pike hatches, the new born fish are usually 6 to 8 millimeters (mm) in length. The small fish usually stay near the egg sac and live off the yolk of the egg for about 10 days. Rapid growth takes place during this period and in the period of one month, they can grow up to 6 inches long.

Habitat Growth

The growth rate of the Northern pike is also dependent on the habitat. Growth will differ between the type of lake the fish grows in and the types of food that are foraged. A lake with an abundant supply of good forage fish will yield larger pike. If the habitat is lean, the pike will grow and then die quickly.

Maximum Growth

The Northern pike can be found at its largest in the Great Lakes and some of the larger, colder lakes of Canada. An average Great Lake Northern Pike can grow up to 30 inches. As you go north, away from the Great Lakes where the water is colder, they grow slower.

References

• Pikeonthefly.com; Age and Growth;