These contributed to the decline of the blue pike through predation and competition. The population crashed in 1958, but the species lingered on until it became extinct in 1970. In the same general time period, three other species of fish endemic to the Great Lakes also disappeared. Each of these species succumbed to the cumulative effects of overexploitation by fishers, pollution, siltation and other forms of habitat degradation due to development, and predation and competition from non-native species. Still today , there remains conflicting stories about its demise.
Fishermen report catching Blue Colored Pike in lakes in Canada and Minnesota.
Rumours have for years abounded about the Blue Pike translocated by private individuals and goverment stocking programs outside their Great Lakes homes and still carrying on. The Jury is still out. They DNA tests have begun. We at the NFC want the Blue Pike back real bad. Fish Online News as well.