BLUE PIKE
Stizostedion vitreum glaucum
(Hubbs, 1926)
Order: Perciformes
Family: Percidae
Significance:
The blue pike was an important commercial species of Lake Erie where annual
catches frequently exceeded 20 million pounds. In 1955 the catch was 19.7
million pounds before its 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 deeper
and cooler areas of Lake Erie and possibly Lake Ontario.
Former
distribution: Same.
Status:Endangered. Although a few hundred
pounds of blue pike have been listed in catches of commercial fishermen in
recent years, biologists have found that these were mostly small yellow
pike.
Estimated numbers: Very few or possibly
extinct.
Fecundity: Spawned in moderately deep areas in early
summer.
Reasons for decline:Physical, chemical and biological
environment in Lakes Erie and Ontario have deteriorated measurably in the past
20 years, creating conditions that seem to be unfavorable for survival of eggs
and young. Severe oxygen depletion 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 Linesville Fish
Culture Station. About 9,000 of the fry were transferred to 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:None.
Culture potential in
captivity: Good.
Remarks: Data submitted by Dr. Stanford H.
Smith, National Marine Fisheries Service, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Region 3, U.
S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities, Minnesota.
Selected
References
Hubbs, C. L. and K. F. Lagler. 1964. Fishes of the Great
Lakes region. University of Michigan Press, 213 pp.
Trautman, M. B. 1957.
The fishes of Ohio. Ohio State University Press, 683 pp.
Parsons, John W.
1967. Contributions of year-classes of blue pike to the commercial fishery of
Lake Erie, 1943-59. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada, 24(5):1035-1066.