The Esocidae family includes the true pikes and pickerels that are found worldwide from the freshwaters of Europe and Asia to the waters of North America. They are voracious fish and primary predators that are held in high esteem on all three continents by the angling fraternity. As a result, considerable effort has been put forth for hatchery propagation of these fish in order to replenish depleted populations. All members of the pike family have many physical characteristics that easily identify them as an Esocid. The body is round-shaped and elongated with a frontal-flattened head that has a duck-bill shaped jaw which is lined with large, canine-like teeth. The dorsal fin is inserted far back on the body. Identification of individual pike species is another matter that demands close observation of key characters that separate one from another.

In Iowa, the pike family is represented by three different species: northern pike, muskellunge, grass pickerel and a monogenetic hybrid of the male northern pike and female muskellunge. All, with the exception of grass pickerel, are important game fish, and they are propagated in our fish hatcheries for release in waters with suitable habitat.

Northern pike is probably the most widely distributed and best known member of the pike family. The original range of the northern in the state was the natural lakes, the upper reaches of the large interior rivers and the Great Border Rivers, particularly in the upper basin pools. Each year the Conservation Commission cultures 6 to l0 million fry at the Guttenberg Hatchery from brood fish netted in the Mississippi River.

The muskellunge, or "musky" as it is best known, was considered a very rare fish in Iowa until l960 when it was stocked into West Okoboji Lake and Clear Lake to provide a "trophy class" fish for anglers. Historically, it had been reported only a few times from scattered locations. Purebred musky have been released in five lakes since l960.

The newest addition of the pike family in Iowa is a hybrid fish, the tiger musky, which is a cross between northern pike and muskellunge and was first introduced in l978. Although natural crossing of these two species occurs where both inhabit the same waters, it is only recent that hatchery hybridization has been popular. Like both parents, it grows to a large size and shows hybrid vigor in growth and fighting ability. It appears to be an exciting new "trophy class" fish for Iowa anglers, especially in the man-made recreational lakes.

*Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp.