CHAPTER XLVI 
THE ORDER OF PIKES 
HA PL 0 MI 
After the Order of Spiny-Finned Fishes, with 
its great array of genera and species, it is a 
relief to reach an Order which contains but one 
Family, and only five species. The so-called 
Yellow “Tike” is not a member of this aristo- 
cratic and exclusive Family; for, as already 
stated, it is only a pik e-perch. 
Look at any member of the Pike Family, and 
tell me whether it does not make you think of a 
pirate. Observe that yawning sepulchre of a 
mouth, that evil eye, and low, flat forehead — 
all indicating a character replete with cunning 
and ferocity. Note the total absence of a digni- 
fied and respectable front dorsal fin, which nearly 
every fish of proper moral character possesses 
and displays with pride. 
Like scaly assassins, the pikes and pickerels 
lie in wait for their prey; and whenever one 
rushes like a green streak from under the lily- 
pads, and bolts a t rolling-spoon in one great, 
ill-mannered gulp, the angler feels a savage de- 
light in thinking that it serves him right. These 
fishes are the most voracious creatures that in- 
habit our inland waters. Their ambition is to 
devour every living creature that comes in sight, 
and they prey upon all other fishes, frogs and 
amphibians generally, ducklings, other small 
aquatic birds, and also small aquatic mammals. 
Worse than this, they even devour their own 
kind. That they are found living with the bass, 
perch and other fishes is generally due to the fact 
that it is impossible for them to devour all their 
neighbors. 
The Pike 1 is a fish of very wide — almost 
world-wide — distribution. In America it is 
found from Kodiak Island, Alaska, southward 
through British Columbia, Canada, the 
upper Mississippi valley and the Great 
Lakes region, to Europe and Asia. 
Dr. Jordan says (“Food and Game 
Fishes ”) that it reaches a length of 
4 feet, a weight of 40 pounds, and that 
the Kankakee River, in Illinois, is one 
of the best streams for great Pike fish- 
ing of which he knows. As a food fish 
the Pike ranks low. 
The Muskallunge 2 is a game fish 
of high rank, and its Indian name is 
spelled in eight different ways. Its 
standing may be expressed in the fol- 
lowing proportion: The Muskallunge 
is to the fresh-water angler as the tuna 
is to the salt-water angler. 
Its great size makes it a great prize, and the 
taking of a large fish with sportsman-like tackle, 
and a very good chance to be upset in deep 
water during the struggle, makes the Muskallunge 
the king of fresh-water game fishes. The north- 
ern species — of the Great Lakes, the St. Law- 
rence and southern Canada — reaches a length of 
7\ feet, or more, and attains a maximum weight 
of about 90 pounds. Its centre of abundance 
seems to be in the Thousand Islands of the St. 
Lawrence, where it affords grand sport. Usually 
it is caught by trolling, — a most delightful 
scheme by which the twin pleasures of boating 
and fishing are combined. 
1 E'sox lu'ci-us. 2 E'sox mas-quin-on' gy . 
394 
THE MUSKALLUNGE. 
