Comparison of Calcified Structures to Estimate Ages of Northern Pike Esox Lucius In Various Lakes

Authors

• Kaed Rauk

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Northern pike Esox lucius are a dominant predatory fish in many aquatic systems. They can have significant impacts on the ecosystems they inhabit and are also a popular game fish among anglers. However, northern pike are a difficult species to age accurately. This study aimed to compare calcified aging structures to identify trends and determine which structure provides the most accurate age estimates. A total of 119 northern pike were sampled, and multiple structures from each fish were independently aged by two readers. The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated for each structure to assess precision. Sectioned sagittal otoliths exhibited the lowest CV (4.83), whereas anal fin rays showed the highest CV (7.26). These results indicate that sectioned otoliths are the most reliable structure for aging northern pike.

Publication Date

2026

Comments

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

Recommended Citation

Rauk, Kaed, "Comparison of Calcified Structures to Estimate Ages of Northern Pike Esox Lucius In Various Lakes" (2026). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 97.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/97