| Pretty much every angler knows and would | | | | a distinct white winter coat), the Amur Cork Tree |
| recognize a Northern Pike. Esox lucius as it is | | | | (used in Traditional Chinese Medicine) and the |
| known to scientists is a species that can be found | | | | Amur Pike. |
| across the Northern reaches of America, Europe | | | | The Amur Pike is very similar to the Northern |
| and Asia. As a fierce predator with the potential | | | | Pike in its habitat and lifestyle. It too is a predator, |
| to grow big (reportedly 150 centimetres and 35 | | | | preferring to lie in ambush in vegetation and prey |
| kilograms) the Northern Pike attracts its fair share | | | | upon smaller fish in the water, and frogs, rodents |
| of interest and plenty of angling devotees. | | | | and small birds on the surface. |
| Few anglers will know as much about the Amur | | | | The Amur Pike does not reach the same size as |
| Pike. Esox reichertii is a species in its own right but | | | | the Northern Pike but can still reach a size that |
| just what makes it different and where are they | | | | makes it an attractive target for anglers. The |
| found? | | | | largest on record measured 115 centimetres and |
| The Amur River is one of Asia's great rivers. It | | | | 20 kilograms; that's 45 inches and 44 pounds in |
| flows for over 4000 kilometres (taking the | | | | old money). |
| longest tributary), eventually flowing out into the | | | | The main distinguishing feature is the skin pattern. |
| Pacific Ocean near the Straights of Tartary - the | | | | Amur Pike are covered in dark spots; hence their |
| narrow sea between the Siberian mainland and | | | | other name - Black-spotted Pike. |
| the Island of Sakhalin. For part of its length it | | | | Amur Pike are only native to the Amur |
| forms the border between the Russian Federation | | | | watershed and to Sakhalin Island. Specimens can |
| and China - an area that remained in dispute right | | | | be found in lakes in the region, especially oxbow |
| up into the last century. | | | | lakes that were obviously part of the river |
| The Amur River has a number of significant | | | | system at some point in the not-so-distant past. |
| tributaries including the Songhua, Argun, Shilka and | | | | Many of the rivers in the Russian federation are |
| Onon Rivers. | | | | heavily fished with nets reducing the chances for |
| The Amur river-system is truly diverse, passing | | | | rod and line anglers wanting good sport. Some of |
| through desert, tundra, taiga and steppe. Many | | | | the best fishing for Amur Pike takes place along |
| species have a significant Amur variation, including | | | | the Onon River in Mongolia, which is well protected |
| the Amur Tiger (bigger than the Bengal tiger, with | | | | by poor access. |