Members of the pike family native to North America include the chain pickerel, northern pike and the muskellunge. Adult members of the pike family are voracious, eating nearly anything that they can swallow.

These vicious hunters often feed on members of the sunfish family. In many locations, bluegill and other sunfish species are their main food source. Aside from sunfish, perch, suckers and other panfish, these top predators feed on forage species such as shad, herring or alewives.

Amphibians are often included in the diets of these fish. Smaller pickerel and pike gorge on leopard frogs and young bullfrogs. Larger fish do not hesitate to take full grown American bullfrogs, sometimes weighing a pound or more.

Bullfrogs are found in freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes from Canada, southward throughout the continental United States and into Mexico. Their large webbed feet make them excellent swimmers but when caught in open water, they are no match for adult pike or muskies.

Large pike and musky do not limit their diets to fish and frogs. Trophy sized fish have been known to consume a variety of animals, including snakes, waterfowl and rodents. Much of their hunting success comes from their camouflaged markings to lie motionless among dense cover, waiting to strike.

Experienced fishermen often pay close attention to food sources while fishing, looking for clues about what types of forage are available for pike, pickerel or musky. Offering these formidable fish live baits or lures that mimic the predominant food source will usually result in success.

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