Day Two of chasing a 20lb+ PIKE. I'd settle for catching anything at this stage.

Hard couple of days fishing, so far.
I'm coming back to this water if I strike out in my next venue.

**Scientific Description: Pike Fish (*Esox lucius*)**

**Taxonomy:**
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
- Order: Esociformes
- Family: Esocidae
- Genus: Esox
- Species: *Esox lucius*

**Physical Characteristics:**
- Pike fish exhibit an elongated body with a streamlined shape, facilitating rapid movement through water.
- Their colouration varies, typically ranging from olive-green to brown on the dorsal side, fading to a lighter shade on the ventral side.
- A prominent feature is their elongated, flattened head, housing a large mouth filled with numerous sharp teeth, ideal for capturing prey.
- The dorsal fin is positioned far back on the body, often marked with distinctive dark spots or bars.
- Pike possess a dual dorsal fin structure, with the anterior dorsal fin being larger and more pronounced than the posterior one.
- Their scales are relatively large and well-defined, providing protection and contributing to their overall appearance.

**Habitat and Distribution:**
- Pike fish are predominantly freshwater inhabitants, commonly found in lakes, rivers, and large streams across North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
- They prefer areas with ample vegetation or underwater structures where they can ambush prey, such as submerged logs, weed beds, and rocky outcrops.
- Pike are adaptable to various environmental conditions, thriving in both clear and murky waters with temperatures ranging from cold to moderately warm.

**Behaviour and Diet:**
- Pike are apex predators, exhibiting voracious feeding behaviour and consuming a diverse range of prey, including fish, amphibians, small mammals, and occasionally birds.
- They are ambush predators, relying on stealth and sudden bursts of speed to capture unsuspecting prey.
- Pike are solitary hunters, often patrolling their territory and defending it aggressively against intruders, including other pike.
- During periods of low activity, pike may seek refuge in deeper waters or among submerged vegetation to conserve energy.

**Reproduction:**
- Pike typically spawn in early spring when water temperatures begin to rise, congregating in shallow, vegetation-rich areas for breeding.
- Females deposit adhesive eggs onto submerged vegetation or other structures, where they are fertilized by males.
- After spawning, both male and female pike may exhibit aggressive behaviour towards intruders near their spawning grounds to protect their offspring.
- Young pike hatch from eggs after a few weeks and undergo rapid growth, reaching sexual maturity within 3 to 4 years, depending on environmental conditions and food availability.

**Conservation Status:**
- Pike populations are generally stable and not considered globally threatened; however, localized declines may occur due to habitat degradation, overfishing, and pollution.
- Management strategies, such as habitat restoration, sustainable fishing practices, and regulations on size and bag limits, are implemented in some regions to ensure the long-term viability of pike populations.