Northern pike
· Pike can often be infected with several different parasites. The broad tapeworm can infect humans if the fish is not cooked thoroughly. A cestode parasite may also use the pike as a host. A trematode, another parasite, causes cysts on the pike’s skin. · Fisheries managers have tried to domesticate the pike but have had no luck. The pike will also not accept artificial food. · Because northerns are at the top of the food chain and eat smaller fish, they will accumulate toxins such as mercury and pesticides in their bodies that were in the smaller fish. Always check local consumption advisories before keeping and eating northern pike.