Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Powi) (Per Ola Wiberg
Lakes and Ponds
In a lake or pond scenario, a northern pike will live in the shallower sections where waterweeds thrive.
Rivers and Streams
Those northern pike that live in rivers and large streams exist in the coves, pools and backwaters where vegetation has a chance to gain a foothold and grow.
Effects
In the summer, the northern pike, which greatly prefers cooler temperatures, will stay in the deeper portions of its habitat in the heat of the day. Pike then come back to shallow regions when the sun begins to go down or cloud cover lowers the temperature.
Considerations
In the early spring when water temperatures are still 40 to 50 degrees F, just after the ice has melted in the pike's range, the fish spawn. At this time, pike seek backwaters full of weeds or flooded marshlands along rivers where they lay their eggs.
Significance
Pike are ambush predators, lying in wait in the weeds and watching for fish or any types, frogs or other aquatic life to swim by. The pike will use the weeds as cover before swimming out and grabbing its victims with a mouth full of rows of sharp teeth.
