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Blue pike (Sander vitreus) — Percidae

Blue pike

Sander vitreus
Family: Percidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blue pike (Sander vitreus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 107 cm.

Length
107 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–27.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Crepuscular
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lakes and rivers of North America.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The walleye (Sander vitreus) is a large North American perch of the family Percidae. The species has an elongate, olive-gold body with dark mottling, sharp canine teeth and conspicuously large, reflective eyes with a reflective layer (tapetum lucidum) that gives excellent vision in low light. It can exceed one metre. The walleye inhabits lakes, pools and runs of medium to large rivers, often in turbid water near structure. As a predator it hunts mainly at dusk and at night for other fishes. It is one of the most sought-after sport and food fishes of North America.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue pike?

The Blue pike has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a marbled pattern. Large, reflective eyes (tapetum lucidum) for vision in low light; sought-after crepuscular hunter.

Where does the Blue pike live?

The Blue pike lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lakes and rivers of North America.

How big does the Blue pike get?

The Blue pike grows to a maximum of about 107 cm. On average the species is around 54 cm.

Is the Blue pike dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue pike is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Blue pike edible?

Yes, the Blue pike is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blue pike (Sander vitreus) — Percidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Quinn, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blue pike (Sander vitreus) — Percidae — 3
Scott (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Blue pike (Sander vitreus) — Percidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public domain)
Blue pike (Sander vitreus) — Percidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Quinn, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue pike verified
Scientific name
Sander vitreus
Family
Percidae
Other names
Dory; Glass eye; Gray pike; Green pike; Jack salmon; Walleye; Pike-perch; Yellow pickerel; Yellow pike; Marble Eye; Okow; Pickerel verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
107.0 verified
Average length (cm)
54.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
27.0 verified
Natural range
Lakes and rivers of North America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Fishes (such as young perch and allis shad) sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Crepuscular inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
29.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Large, reflective eyes (tapetum lucidum) for vision in low light; sought-after crepuscular hunter. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with jigs, worms or small lures near the bottom and around structure, especially at dusk and at night. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Sander

More from the family Percidae

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