The northern pike, a prized native but disastrous invasive

Abstract

This chapter investigates the observed consequences from many locations where northern pike have been introduced and discuss potential reasons why pike, under the right circumstances, can be considered an invasive species. The concept of 'invasive species' is becoming increasingly familiar among scientists, policy makers and the general public. Changing climate patterns have great potential to exacerbate ecological impacts of invasive and non-native species, including pike. In addition to the ecological ramifications of invasive pike introductions, the economic and recreational impacts can be substantial. Management of introduced pike populations is complicated, and there have been many different approaches to the problem. With the financial burdens and uncertainty of success, attempts to remove invasive pike populations can be daunting and complex. Complete eradication of established invasive pike populations may have the greatest benefit to native fish populations in the long-term because this eliminates predation pressure and removes source populations from which pike can spread.