Amur Pike

The Amur pike, also known as the blackspotted pike, Esox reichertii, is a pike native to the Amur River system in east Asia, as well as freshwater habitat on the island of Sakhalin. Closely related to the northern pike, it reaches a length of 115 cm, sporting a silvery body with small, black spots. Like other pike, this species is prized for sport fishing.

It is not generally found outside its native range. However, it was introduced to Glendale Lake, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission in 1968, just underneath the range of the northern pike. As a result, these two species do not cross often. Pure Amur pike were last spawned in 1971. All of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission’s brood stock was lost in the summer of 1976.

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