New book on pike biology and ecology

It has been approximately 20 years since the last publication of a book presenting research knowledge on the pike—a fish which plays a key role in the ecosystems of lakes, rivers and parts of the Baltic Sea, and which is a target of many anglers’ exertions with fishing rods, reels, and lines.

Associate Professor Christian Skov, DTU Aqua, has now published the book ‘Biology and Ecology of Pike’ with the American publisher CRC Press, together with his Swedish colleague Professor P. Anders Nilsson from the Universities of Lund and Karlstad.

"The pike is an extremely fascinating fish, which—over the years—has had a mythical aura about it. It’s also a very important fish in recreational fishing throughout its area of distribution and—not least—in Denmark. As part of DTU Aqua’s central role in the management of recreational fisheries in Denmark, it’s natural that we take the lead in gathering and summarizing current knowledge of the biology and management of pike," says Christian Skov.

The result is a 420-page book divided into 14 chapters written by more than 30 authors. In addition to Christian Skov, the authors of the chapters include Lene Jacobsen and Dorte Bekkevold from DTU Aqua. In total, DTU Aqua contributes to 6 of the 14 chapters.

The primary target group for the book is researchers and students, but dedicated anglers can also benefit from reading it. 

20 years of scientific literature behind the book

The book is based primarily on scientific publications of the past 20 years and describes the pike at individual and stock levels, as well as its ecosystem interaction. In addition, a significant part of the book deals with the best management of pike, for example through habitat restorations in ecosystems in which pike stocks are challenged. 

As a new feature in relation to previous books on the pike, one of the chapters deals specifically with how best to manage pike angling. The chapter is quite comprenehsive and reflects both that recreational fishing is today an important leisure activity for many people, and that—in this context—the pike is a cherished fish, which must be managed on a scientific basis to ensure sustainable stocks. 

Just as cherished as the pike is in areas where it is native, just as hated is it in areas in which it has been introduced, for example in a number of American States. Here, it is regarded as an invasive species similar to how we regard, for example, the round goby and signal crayfish in Denmark. One of the chapters in the book presents this problem and what has been done to solve it so far.