Pike and Walleye are excellent sports fish for anglers around the world. The two fish also provide a great food source. However, the pike and Walleye are versatile. Each family and genus has several other species available. Pike belongs to Esocidae and the genus Esox, while Walleye belongs to Percidae and genus Sander.
At a glance, Walleye and pike may seem similar in their physical appearance, but upon in-depth analysis, you will realize that the two species are entirely different. You can use the information provided in this paper to differentiate and identify your prized catch when fishing.
Table of Contents
What is Pike?
Pike is a popular fish due to its aggressive behavior and cannibalistic tendencies. The fish can grow into massive sizes weighing more than 20kgs. The name pike comes from the fish pole-like appearance, and its resemblance to a pole-like weapon is referred to as a pike.
In appearance, the pike is olive-green. However, there is a yellow-white appearance on the pike’s bellies. It is easy to identify as it has a single dorsal fin, black spots on the skin surface. Younger pike is green in color with yellow stripes on the skin surface. Plus, the sensory pores on a pike appear on the underside of the fish’s lower jaw.
What is Walleye?
Walleye’s popularity arises from its living environment, which makes the fish a convenient option for fishing and rearing amongst anglers and fish farmers. The fish is in the perch family, Percidae. Walleye has a long body, but thin reaching 90 cm as an adult. It has two dorsal fins and is golden in color or can appear olive around the belly. The fish back has several black stripes facing up.
The best identifying feature for Walleye is the eyes. These are commonly referred to as wall-eye due to their ability to reflect light. Plus, the Walleye is also known for its excellent eyesight, even in turbid waters. It makes it one of the best hunters amongst the fish family.
Pike Vs. Walleye Main Differences
There are many differences between pike and Walleye. Anglers should have the differences at hand to help distinguish their catch, whether it’s for sports or a delicious evening meal. Even though Walleye and pike are both freshwater fish, the two vary in terms of living habitats, feeding habits, and eyesight while in water and feeding habits. Here is more on the main differences between pike and Walleye.
Pike Vs. Walleye Size and Weight
Pike can grow to massive sizes and lengths. The largest ever recorded pike is 59 inches long. It weighs 25kgs or 55lbs, according to the International Game Fish Association. However, the average size of a pike estimate is between 22 inches maximum and 16 inches minimum length. Evidence of a giant pike is available on the listed weights, approximately 63 pounds or 28.4kgs.
Walleye do not grow big like pike. The maximum recorded size is around 42 inches, about 107cm in length, weighing 13kgs or 29 pounds. The average weight for a grown-up walleye remains at 20 pounds or 9kgs and a length of 31 inches or 80cm. However, the Walleye has a long lifespan similar to that of pike at above 25 years.
Pike Vs. Walleye Eyesight
When it comes to eyesight, Walleye has excellent vision. The fish lives deep in the water, where sight is essential for hunting and navigating the waters. Walleyes can navigate turbid water systems. Also, it helps when migrating into deeper waters after a rise in temperatures during summer. The most distinguishing factor about the Walleye is that it can see at night. It is the reason why anglers fish walleyes at dawn or early in the evening.
Pike also has good eyesight. However, it often lives in shallow waters with higher vegetation for ambush hunting. Pike also migrates to deeper waters at the same level as the Walleye. Walleye, therefore, becomes prey for the bigger pike. However, pike cannot see in the dark. The fish only comes out in the presence of the moon to feed.
Pike and Walleye fins
The dorsal fish fins are another distinguishing factor. Pike has a single dorsal fin far back on its body, almost reaching the tail. However, pike spots two long and forked caudal fins that allow for fast movement in the water, especially when hunting.
Walleye has two dorsal fins. The first one is sharp or spiny compared to the second dorsal fin, which is soft in appearance and touch. However, the Walleye has a single caudal fin with white tips and a single anal fin.
Pike Vs. Walleye Markings
Pike and Walleye have several markings on the skin. The skin color may appear similar in olive green, but the shade changes for pike turning yellow-white on the belly while Walleye becomes greenish-gray. Upon closer inspection, the markings on the fish are also different.
Pike markings are light and appear bean-like all over its body except the belly. The markings form no specific pattern. However, the markings on the walleye form stripes or bands. You can count the bars as the color is darker than the other parts of the fish. The bands can range from 5 to 12, depending on the Walleye.
Pike Vs. Walleye Habitats
Walleye habits the deeper sections of the lakes or rivers. However, Walleye only come out at night when hunting for food. During the day, you will find walleyes hiding under aquatic vegetation or tree roots. When darkness falls, the walleyes move to shallow waters.
Pike habit shallow areas with ample vegetation. The pike only moves when the moon is high in the sky. However, the fish hunt day and night for sustenance. You will find them in shallow waters during winter and deeper into the water during summer.
Pike vs. Walleye Feeding Habits
Pike are both predators and cannibals. The pike is on top of the food chain as carnivores. However, pike feeds on other smaller pike and any other animal smaller than the pike itself. Thus, younglings grow hidden in the aquatic vegetation and only venture deeper into the ocean once grown into adults. Pike also preys on walleyes.
Walleye feeds on other smaller fish, invertebrates, and insects. Feeding is at dawn and t dusk.
Pike Vs. Walleye palatability
Walleye are palatable and popular amongst people in all cuisines. The Walleye is also popular with fish farmers as a potential fish to rear. Therefore, it has become a natural food source for people. Walleye is not only palatable for humans; it also is a quality food source for other fish such as pike.
Pike is not famous as a food source compared to sports fishing. However, it is slowly becoming a popular dish. There are various menus and recipes developed for the preparation and consumption of pike.
Summary
Walleye and pike are essential for any anglers and other fish enthusiasts both in sports and a source of quality nutrition. The Walleye and pike have similar living conditions. However, the Walleye is easy to catch and very small in size compared to the pike. Pike are aggressive and way more clever than Walleye and requires more experienced anglers to catch one.
One has to understand the differences between the two if planning to go fishing. Pike are top feeders and feed on Walleye. However, Walleye are also carnivorous and feed on other fish. You may go fishing for a pike only to catch a walleye. However, with the above information, it will be fast and easy to differentiate between the two.
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