Changes in the Minnesota Northern Pike Population Over the Past Thirty Years

Authors

Joey Severin

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Northern pike Esox lucius are one of the most popular game fish in Minnesota. Many anglers have noticed that northern pike seemed to decrease in size throughout much of this state. Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) drives average weight for northern pike; within lakes, as CPUE goes up average weight decreases. Decreases in size has led the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) to implement new regulations on northern pike. The MNDNR noticed that not all the state has this same problem with Northern Pike, and has broken down the state into three zones, with different protected slots and limits based on where the lake is located geographically within Minnesota. Results from this study indicate the north-central zone has seen a statistically significant increase in pike CPUE (Ŷ = -237.78 + 0.12X; P < 0.01). The other areas of Minnesota have not seen any statistically significant changes in northern pike population density. These steady populations are due to lack of fishing pressure plus the slow reproductive rates in these areas of the state. Having regulations based on yields is not as effective when regulating northern pike, because anglers are very selective and do not tend to keep smaller pike.

Publication Date

2022

Comments

Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program

Recommended Citation

Severin, Joey, "Changes in the Minnesota Northern Pike Population Over the Past Thirty Years" (2022). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 9.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/9