Natural Reproducing Pike

[DanH]

With all the Pike that the State has been stocking in different bodies of water, I was wondering if there has been any reproduction going on ? Years ago it was rumored that Farrington had some but I don't know if it was ever confirmed .

[AndyS]

Mark B. said of all the fish stocked by the state of New Jersey, not one reproduces except Lake Trout. You see them strip the eggs from walleye and muskies every year and bring them back to the hatchery.

[DanH]

Thanks buddy!

[NJSquatch]

I have seen a handful of pictures this year of what look like hybrid pike pickerels. They look really cool. Basically the pike coloration in a chain pattern.

[AndyS]

Although with that being said there is natural reproduction in New Jersey of sunfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, carp, American shad, Gizzard shad, river herring, lamprey and striped bass just to name a few. (and the state does stock bass and catfish, so go figure)

[DanH]

You would think with all the different type bodies of water that are stocked a few would match the criteria for what they need .
The State must of thought that it was possible when they started , because one of the reasons for the Tiger Musky was that being a hy brid it wasn't going to reproduce and the population could easily be controlled .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnVc1MyWqhw

Originally Posted by AndyS

Mark B. said of all the fish stocked by the state of New Jersey, not one reproduces except Lake Trout. You see them strip the eggs from walleye and muskies every year and bring them back to the hatchery.

If natural reproduction isn't occurring with walleye, why is 3/1 thru 4/30 catch and release only during their spawn?