Northern Pike (Esox lucius) are one of Canada's most important gamefish, and more angling effort probably targets the Pike than any other of Canada's gamefish. This is due in part to the fact that Northerns are present in all of Canada's ten provinces and two territories. The relative ease in capturing "jack" plays a large part as well. Any fisherman that grew up on the prairies probably counts the Pike as his first fish to the beach.

The Northern Pike is a long-lived species, with some fish in the far North reaching ages of 25 years or more! In a lake environment pike prefer weedy bays, estuaries and shoals as spring and summer habitat. During cool autumn days pike are most likely to seek deeper water. The pike is a vicious predator, and has been known to consume prey half their own length. Their forage includes, but isn't limited to; minnows, frogs, crayfish, mice, muskrats, and ducklings.

The northern pike is characterized by a blueish green coloration with light non-circular spots that are white or yellow. As with most fish coloration is highly dependant on their environment. The pike can reach weights exceeding forty pounds, although a twenty five pound pike is a trophy. The pike is long and narrow and a big fish will exceed fifty inches in length.