Fish have started - now I just want to catch their grandma

Well I've broken the blank. Feels good to get something in the net. All released safely to steal my baits again in the future.
New venue for me, so next time I'll be on a different spot around the bank.
I'm gonna break a 20 this winter if its the last thing I do.

**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 coloration 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.

**Behavior and Diet:**
- Pike are apex predators, exhibiting voracious feeding behavior 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 behavior 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.