The Aquitaine Pike is endemic to southwestern France. It does not approach the range thresholds for Vulnerable under Criterion B1 (extent of occurrence (EOO) < 20,000 km²) or D2. The AOO and population size are unknown, thus precluding its assessment under Criterion B2, C or D, and there exists no quantitative analysis which would permit application of Criterion E.

Although no explicit generation length or population trend data are available, a suspected ongoing reduction based on the effects of introduced taxa and continuing decline in habitat quality could meet the threshold for Vulnerable under Criterion A2 (≥ 30% over the past three generations). As a result of this data uncertainty, Least Concern and Vulnerable are equally plausible Red List categories for the present assessment, and this species is assessed as Near Threatened (A2ce), based on a past decline over the past three generations (45 years) that approaches 30%.

This species is endemic to southwestern France, where its range extends southward from the Charente River to the Adour River. The precise extent of its distribution within these systems is unclear, since not all of its potential range has been exhaustively sampled.

This species' current population size and trend have not been quantified, and the number of subpopulations is unknown. It is suspected that abundance is reducing based on declining habitat quality and the effects of introduced taxa, specifically the observed extent of hybridisation with an introduced congener (see 'Threats').

This species is an ambush predator, and tends to inhabit slow-moving reaches of relatively pristine lowland rivers and associated wetlands with sandy or muddy substrata and low fish species richness. Aquatic vegetation is generally sparse except at some locations in the Charente River system, while riparian vegetation is dense at some sites.

It is most abundant in minor tributaries, low-altitude headwaters and short coastal river catchments, including some artificial canals, although this pattern may have been somewhat shaped by introduction of a non-native congener (see 'Threats').

Its life history has not been extensively-studied. Congeners tend to migrate from perennial river channels, lakes and ponds to spawn among submerged grasses or other vegetation in temporally inundated marginal zones during periods of flooding, and there is evidence to suggest that the Aquitaine Pike may exhibit similar behaviour. Spawning reportedly occurs at water temperatures upwards of 7-8°C, with the annual reproductive period putatively extending from autumn (November/December) to early spring (February/March). This is somewhat earlier than observed in other European pike species, and could plausibly be related to low productivity in its natural habitats or shifting temperature regimes driven by climate change.

The extent and quality of habitat are estimated to be undergoing continuing decline based on field observations and the identified threats (see 'Threats').

This species is threatened by introgressive hybridisation with the congeneric Northern Pike (Esox lucius), which continues to be introduced to lakes and larger rivers throughout its range in order to supplement recreational fisheries. The majority of these translocations have taken place since the 1950s, and have included individuals obtained from aquaculture facilities in various European countries. During recent field surveys, just 38% of 111 sites sampled in 2017, and 31% of 91 sites sampled between 2019 and 2023, were inhabited only by non-introgressed Aquitaine Pike individuals. At all other sites it occurred alongside Northern Pike or at least one hybrid individual.

Additional threats include diffuse and point source pollution from agricultural, domestic and industrial sources, draining of floodplains and other wetlands, and clearing of hedgerows. The latter is reportedly causing floodplains to dry out more quickly in the wake of rainfall, thereby reducing the extent of suitable spawning sites.

The introduction of non-native or hatchery-reared fish species is also understood to have resulted in the establishment of novel parasites within its range.

This species is increasingly targeted by recreational fisheries. It is also considered a food fish across part of its range, but is not widely harvested.

This species is increasingly targeted by recreational fisheries. It is also considered a food fish across part of its range, but is not widely harvested.

This species is protected by French law, and it is forbidden to damage sites important for its feeding, growth or reproduction (Arrêté du 8/12/1988, Arrêté du 23/04/2008). It was assessed as Vulnerable for the most recent (2019) National Red List of freshwater fishes. It occurs within the boundaries of various protected areas, some of which are included in the European Union's Natura 2000 network.

Since 2017, a number of conservation-oriented actions have taken place within the framework of the ATLASESOX and BIOESOX projects, supported by the national sport fishing federation, French National Museum of Natural History and various governmental entities. These have included two extensive sampling campaigns coupled with molecular and morphological analyses in order to improve knowledge of the Aquitaine Pike's distribution. A non-invasive technique for rapid molecular identification has been developed, and initial attempts at captive-rearing have taken place.

Separately to these projects, a collaboration between three regional angling associations has resulted in a small-scale captive-breeding program, from which the first individuals were released into the wild during summer 2023.

Stocking of non-native pike has been prohibited at a number of specific sites in the departments of Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Aquitaine Pike individuals inhabiting two sites in Landes have been selected as candidates for future ex situ reproduction efforts.

An annual closed fishing season extends from February 1 to the end of April, but current knowledge suggests that it does not cover this species' reproductive period (see 'Habitat and Ecology'). A minimum capture size of 60 cm is in place for all Esox species in France.

Direct conservation actions are reportedly planned in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine administrative region, where the Aquitaine Pike has recently been recognised to be of important patrimonial interest.

Future research should ideally comprise a deeper understanding of this species' distribution (specifically, sites inhabited by non-introgressed subpopulations), demographics (population size and trend) and life history. A revision of the annual closed fishing season may be necessary if its putative early reproductive period is confirmed. Furthermore, it is recommended that ex situ reproductive subpopulations should be established in order to facilitate reintroduction and restocking activities. The ban on Northern Pike stocking should be expanded to include additional sites where non-introgressed Aquitaine Pike subpopulations occur.