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