Reply from F&W about hybrid pike caught

[msgdan]

As there were quite a few questions and opinions about the "hybrid" pike I caught this week, I sent an e-mail with a picture of the "fish" to the fresh water division of the F&W of NJ. I asked if he thought it was actually a hybrid and also if it is a hybrid, do they or northern pike reproduce within the river system.

Here is the reply I received a short time ago.



Yes, Danny, it does appear to be a hybrid, and it is the first that we have heard of.



To our knowledge, N. pike do not reproduce in NJ, but based on your fish, it appears they do hybridize with chain pickerel.



I will forward your info. to others in our bureau.



Thanks.



Mark





Mark Boriek, Principal Fisheries Biologist

NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife

Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries

[Jigman13]

That pretty cool, man. You've provided the state with its first documented evidence of pike-pickerel hybridization. You should get the right to name to species!!!


"...Nature finds a way...."

[Eskimo]

.


Now you need to get back out there and re-capture that fish so they can run genetic tests on it to confirm the genotype matches the hybrid phenotype.



.

[Skunk City]

The response was from forums member "Mark B". I've messaged them about Walleye in the Passaic and got a quick response. Good stuff and congrats again on the rare catch.

[Esox Luciano]

Congrats on the hybrid pioneering. Don't see why they think pike don't reproduce in wild nj? Good stuff tho man!! Sweet pike from ur more recent venture as well! Keep em comin dude ur killin em'!

[tautog]

In the spring they should play Barry White and pour Natty Light into the river to increase "hybridization."