Vulnerability
Species of least concern
Information
Occurs in clear vegetated lakes, quiet pools and backwaters of creeks and small to large rivers. Usually solitary and highly territorial. Enters brackish water in the Baltic. Adults feed mainly on fishes, but at times feed heavily on frogs and crayfish. Cannibalism is common. In arctic lakes, it is sometimes the only species present in a given water body. Does not generally undertake long migrations, but a few may move considerable distances. This fish can be heavily infested with parasites, including the broad tapeworm which, if not killed by thorough cooking, can infect human. Excellent food fish; utilized fresh and frozen; eaten pan-fried, broiled, and baked. Valuable game fish. In spite of numerous attempts to culture this species, it was never entirely domesticated and does not accept artificial food.
Localization
Circumpolar in fresh water. North America: Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific, Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from Labrador to Alaska and south to Pennsylvania, Missouri and Nebraska, USA. Eurasia: Caspian, Black, Baltic, White, Barents, Arctic, North and Aral Seas and Atlantic basins, southwest to Adour drainage; Mediterranean basin in Rhône drainage and northern Italy. Widely distributed in central Asia and Siberia easward to Anadyr drainage (Bering Sea basin).
Environment
Freshwater/Brackish
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