Amur pike
A spotted freshwater pike native to east Asia.
The Amur pike is a freshwater fish native to the Amur River system and Sakhalin Island. It resembles the northern pike but features distinct black spots. Anglers value it for sport, though it remains rare outside its natural Asian range.
- Native to the Amur River system and Sakhalin Island.
- Can reach lengths of 115 cm and weights of 12.5 kg.
- Distinguished by a silvery body with small black spots.
- Introduced to Pennsylvania in 1968 but failed to establish.
What it is
The Amur pike is a member of the pike family, closely related to the northern pike. It possesses a silvery body covered in small black spots, which distinguishes it from its relatives. This fish can grow up to 115 centimetres in length and weigh as much as 12.5 kilograms. It is a freshwater species primarily found in river systems and lakes within its native range.
Where it lives
This species is native to the Amur River system in east Asia. It also inhabits freshwater environments on the island of Sakhalin. While it is not common outside this region, there was an attempt to introduce it to North America. Specifically, it was stocked in Glendale Lake in Pennsylvania, United States, in 1968. No established wild populations exist in America today.
How it lives
Like other pikes, the Amur pike is a predator valued by anglers for sport fishing. It shares behavioural traits with the northern pike, including ambush hunting techniques. In its introduced range in Pennsylvania, it failed to establish a breeding population. Pure specimens were last spawned in captivity in 1971, and no signs of wild reproduction have been documented in the United States.
Breeding and life cycle
Information regarding specific spawning seasons or egg development in the wild is limited in the provided material. Captive breeding efforts occurred in Pennsylvania, with the last pure spawn recorded in 1971. The brood stock kept at the Benner Spring Fish Hatchery was lost in 1976. Hybrids with northern pike were also produced but did not lead to a sustainable population.
Fish and people
Anglers prize the Amur pike for sport fishing due to its size and fighting ability. In the United States, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission attempted to stock the fish in Glendale Lake. The site was chosen because its outflow leads to polluted waters where fish cannot survive, preventing spread. The programme was cancelled after failures, and a world record catch occurred in 1976 before the stock was lost.
Status and threats
The species is not commonly found outside its native Asian range. Introduction attempts in the United States failed to create a self-sustaining population. Although some fish may have escaped from a hatchery into the Delaware River watershed, none have been caught. There are no documented signs of reproduction in the wild in America, and pure or hybrid individuals likely no longer exist in Glendale Lake.
Questions people ask about Amur pike
Where is the Amur pike naturally found?
It is native to the Amur River system in east Asia. It also lives in freshwater habitats on the island of Sakhalin. It is not commonly found outside this native range.
How big does an Amur pike get?
This species can reach a maximum length of 115 centimetres, which is about 3 feet 9 inches. It can weigh up to 12.5 kilograms, or roughly 28 pounds.
Are there Amur pike in the United States?
They were introduced to Glendale Lake in Pennsylvania in 1968. However, the population failed to establish. No pure or hybrid Amur pike are believed to remain there today.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Amur pike", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
Like Amur pike
All other fish
🇺🇸 United StatesSpotted bass
A North American freshwater fish known for dark spots below its lateral line.Other · Rivers and lakes
🇺🇸 United StatesGuadalupe bass
A rare Texas endemic black bass prized by anglers for its fighting spirit.Other · Rivers and lakes
WorldNile perch
Large freshwater predator native to Africa, now invasive in many lakes.Other · Rivers and lakes
🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreMuskellunge
Large freshwater predatory fish native to North America and the largest member of the pike family.Other · Rivers and lakes