Timing and Magnitude of Energy Deposition and Loss in the Body, Liver, and Gonads of Northern Pike (Esox lucius)

Abstract

Northern pike (Esox lucius) were sampled periodically from Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, between March 1976 and September 1978. The yearly cycle of production and depletion was determined for individual 3-yr-old fish. Body growth in length was similar for both sexes, and occurred during the summer. Somatic caloric growth was completed during the summer by females, while male somatic growth continued over winter. Gonad growth began in August; testicular growth was completed by September while ovarian growth occurred mainly during winter. There was no loss of somatic energy during ovary growth. Energy requirements for testicular growth appeared to come from liver stores. Both sexes lost considerable somatic energy between March and May, the spawning period; this loss appeared to be due to spawning activity and not late gonad growth. Young-of-year fish did not mature sexually and all of their energy accumulation went into somatic tissue. Total production in females from May to March was twice as high as production in males. Both sexes had similar yearly somatic production, while females had approximately 15 fold higher gonadal production than males. Key words: calories, growth, liver, gonad, somatic, Esox lucius, production, spawning depletion