BLUE PIKE Stizostedion vitreum glaucum (Hubbs , 1926) 



Order: PERCIFORMES Family: PERCIDAE 



Significance : The blue pike was one of the more important commercial species of Lake 

 Erie where the annual catch frequently exceeded 20 million pounds and was 19.7 million 

 pounds in 1955 before its recent decline and near disappearance. It was also prominent 

 in the commercial fishery in Lake Ontario but the annual catch never exceeded 500,000 

 pounds . 



Distinguishing characteristics : Pelvic fins whitish blue and body bluish gray . Otherwise 

 much like the yellow pike or walleye but with the eyes larger and closer together and 

 without brassy or yellow mottlings . 



Present distribution: Very uncommon in the deeper and cooler areas of Lake Erie and 

 possibly Lake Ontario. 



Former distribution : The same . 



Status : Threatened. Although a few hundred pounds of blue pike have been listed in 

 the catch of commercial fishermen in recent years, biologists have found that these 

 were mostly small yellow pike . 



Estimated numbers : Very few. 



Fecundity : Spawned in moderately deep areas in early summer. 



Reasons for decline : The physical, chemical, and biological environment in Lakes Erie 

 and Ontario have deteriorated measurably in recent years creating conditions that seem 

 to be unfavorable for survival of eggs and young . Severe oxygen depletion in the blue 

 pike spawning area in central Lake Erie shortly after the spawning period is an obvious 

 contributing factor. 



Protective measures already taken : In 1969, a pair of Lake Erie Stizostedion , believed to 

 be blue pike, were spawned at the Pennsylvania Fish Commission's Lines ville Fish Culture 

 Station. About 9,000 of the fry were transferred to the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery 

 at Yankton, South Dakota. Some of the fingerlings were stocked in an isolated lake in 

 northern Minnesota." 



Measures proposed : Additional spawning stock should be obtained for culture. 



Number in captivity : Some at Linesville Fish Culture Station, Pennsylvania, and 

 Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota. 



Culture potential in captivity : Good . 



Remarks: Data submitted by Dr. Stanford H. Smith, Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, 

 Ann Arbor, Michigan and Region 3, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Twin Cities, 

 Minnesota. 



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