MUSKALLUNGE, PIKE, PICKEREL, PIKE PERCH 61 



above 5 pounds a pike, as that is what it is, the scale 

 test on the head proving it. Pike weighing from 40 

 to 50 pounds has been taken in Canada and in some 

 of the Western States, but through the United States 

 generally the average will run from 4 to S pounds, 

 with occasional exceptions, up to 20 or 25 pounds. 



The name pickerel is used as a diminutive in 

 England, where pike are plentifully found. There 

 the fish is properly a young pike, but in the United 

 States it is an entirely distinct variety of the pike 

 family. This is correct, since it is a different fish, as 

 is shown by the scale markings on the head, the dif- 

 ferent body markings, and the fact that it is limited 

 in size and weight. 



While, as a rule, the pike is differently marked 

 from the pickerel, it varies in this respect consider- 

 ably, being more distinguishable in some cases than 

 in others. Frequently the diiierence is slight, thus 

 making it difiicult to recognize it in this way. A 

 general rule can be given which can be relied upon in 

 the majority of instances, but not always. It can be 

 generally stated that the pike has a greenish-yellow 

 back and sides, varying from dark to light in difl^er- 

 ent fish, with numerous yellow spots dotted over the 

 entire body. These spots are practically round, as 

 though made with the end of the finger dipped in 

 yellow paint. The pickerel also has spots of the 



