The Pike Family. 



This family of fishes, or some of the 

 species, are quite well and generally 

 known by fishermen and anglers over a 

 large area of North America, Europe, 

 and Northern Asia. My observations 

 have been mainly confined to the com- 

 mon pickerel, Esox reticulatus; the 

 pike, Esox iucius; the Chautauqua mus- 

 kallunge, Esox ohunsis; the brook pick- 

 erel and the banded pickerel, Esox 

 americamis. The latter species is of 

 little economic value, as it rarely at- 

 tains twelve inches. In the small 

 brooks of New Jersey where they are 

 fairly plentiful, I have not found any 

 to exceed seven or eight inches. It is 

 a very pretty little fish. Its markings 



seven or eight pounds, but a very large 

 majority of specimens taken do not ex- 

 ceed three or four pounds in weight. Its 

 flesh is white and of good flavor, but 

 rather dry. 



I have observed the habits of the 

 pickerel over a long period of time. 

 They are seen almost universally poised 

 in a horizontal position, often towards 

 the upper part of the tank, maintaining 

 their position by slowly moving their 

 fins. The fin motion is so slight that 

 the casual observer would scarcely no- 

 tice any movement. It is a common re- 

 mark of visitors, in passing the pickerel 

 tank, "How still they are !" I have seen 

 them at various hours of the night, and 



CHARACTERISTIC POSE OF PIKE 



resemble the Chautauqua muskallunge. 

 The home of the brook pickerel is 

 among the water plants in the pools of 

 small brooks. 



The common pickerel is probably 

 much better and more generally known 

 than any of the other species of the 

 family. It is said to reach a weight of 



their actions were, the same as in the 

 day ; apparently day and night are about 

 the same to the pickerel. 



All of the pike family have about the 

 same peculiar method of catching their 

 prey, except that the pickerel are quick- 

 er in movement, and seem to be more 

 voracious than their larger relations, 



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