Comparing Sex Ratios of Northern Pike Between the St. Lawrence River and Inland New York Waters

Historically on the St. Lawrence River, sex ratios of Northern pike have been near 1:1 male to female. However, in past decades sex ratios of Northern pike on the river have skewed heavily towards females. Currently the full extent of this issue within the St. Lawrence River and broader region is unknown. Previous studies have failed to identify the geographic extent of the skewed sex ratios, and what implications a largely female population might have on the reproductive health of the total population. In January, February, and March of 2012 I collected gonads from pre-spawn Northern pike on several sites on the St. Lawrence River and inland water bodies of geographic similitude. Pike were collected either through ice fishing or the setting of Oneida nets and hoop nets. I established sex ratios of these different populations, compiled gonadosomatic indices, and determined fecundity of females and fertility of males.  This research will answer how widespread skewed sex ratios of Northern pike are in the region. The research will also begin to answer how important even sex ratios are to the reproductive health of a Northern pike population.