PIKE REMEMBER FISHING LURES

BERLIN, OCTOBER 6 /SRNA/ - Pike can recognize fishing lures, researchers at Germany's Langenargen Institute for Fisheries Research have found.

The study also found that fish released after being caught once were less likely to bite the same lures again.

Researchers reached the conclusion after testing three different types of lures in Lake Oberer Schoneberger Weiher in southwestern Germany, catching 69 pike in 238 attempts, Bild reported.

As the experiment progressed, the predatory fish bit less frequently, with pike becoming more cautious and avoiding certain lure designs.

Institute representative Jorit Lukas said the results suggested that pike could associate particular experiences with a specific type of lure and then deliberately avoid it.

The study also showed that when anglers catch fewer fish, this does not necessarily mean the overall fish population has declined. Instead, pike may have learned to recognise fishing tackle and become less likely to take the bait.

According to the research, however, pike eventually forget the "lesson" they learned about the lures.