Author: (Linnaeus, 1758)
FBname: Pike-perch
Comments: Adults inhabit large, turbid rivers and eutrophic lakes, brackish coastal lakes and estuaries.  Feed mainly on gregarious, pelagic fishes.  They attain first sexual maturity at 3-10 years of age, usually at 4.  Undertake short spawning migrations. Individuals foraging in brackish water move to freshwater habitats.  Migrations up to 250 km have been recorded.  Homing is well developed, even nearby populations may be relatively isolated.  Spawn in pairs at dawn or night.  Spawning occurs in April-May, exceptional from late February until July, depending on latitude and altitude when temperatures reach 10-14° C on spawning grounds (Ref. 59043).  Popularly fished by sport fishers.  Its flesh is succulent (Ref. 30578).  Utilized fresh or frozen and eaten steamed, broiled and microwaved (Ref. 9988).  An individual weighing 19 kg was reportedly caught in 1959 in Starnberger, Bavaria, Germany (Peter Admicka, pers. Comm.  E-mail:  peter.adamicka@oeaw.ac.at).