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Every year the German Fishing Association (DAFV), the Association of German Sport Divers (VDST), the Austrian Board of Trustees for Fisheries and Water Protection (ÖKF) and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) vote for the fish of the year. The choices are mainly endangered species.
Although the pike (Esox lucius) is still listed as "not endangered" in the red list of threatened species, the long-term trend shows a moderate decline in the population. It is representative of many species that depend on intact and near-natural bank areas for reproduction.
The choice of pike is therefore also representative of how important it is to preserve such near-natural bank and floodplain areas along our waters. This is the only way to ensure that many of our native fish species can be preserved in the long term. Previous renaturation measures have already shown that it is possible to successfully create new habitats for native animal and plant species in the long term.
Stocking measures by anglers also help the population development, but the only measure that cannot be successful in the long term if the framework conditions for pike & Co. are not improved.
The pike in portrait
characteristics
The pike has an elongated, cylindrical body. Its relatively long head ends in a characteristic, upper mouth. Its dorsal and anal fins, which are shifted far back, enable the predator to be highly maneuverable in addition to almost lightning-like acceleration.
On average, the pike reaches a length of 50 to 100 cm, with capital animals a length of up to 150 cm and a weight of over 20 kg is possible. The females become significantly larger than the males, which usually only reach a length of about 90 cm.
The color of the pike varies depending on the habitat. In general, the back of the fish is usually greenish to brownish, the color runs lighter to the white-colored belly.
Habitats
The pike prefers to colonize stagnant water and likes to stay near the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds, but can also be found in rivers and brackish waters near the coast.
Importance in fishing and as food fish
The pike is one of the most popular target fish for anglers. The angler's experience and technique are decisive for their success in catching, because depending on the water and time, the right bait has to be presented at suitable locations.
Here it is also important to consider the natural food supply at the fishing spot and to include it in the choice of bait. In general, a bait length of 5 to 30 cm is used when sitting on pike, regardless of whether you try your luck with wobblers, spinners, spoons or rubber fish.
When hunting for big pike, it attracts many anglers - in addition to German waters - also to Ireland and Scandinavia.
The pike continues to be a popular food fish, with dry meat and low fat content, which can be prepared in a variety of ways. Pike dumplings are particularly popular, but pike is also a real treat in pickles or in the terrine.
