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• PREFACE The habitat use information and Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models presented in this document are intended for use in impact assessment and habitat management activities. Literature concerning the habitat requirements and preferences of northern pike is reviewed and then synthesized into HSI models, which are scaled to produce an index between 0 (unsuitable habitat) and 1 (optimal habitat). Assumptions used to transform habitat use information into these quantitative models are noted, and guidelines for model application are described. Other models found in the literature which may also be used to calculate an HSI are cited. Use of these models for impact assessment requires the setting of clear study objectives and may require modification of the models to meet those objectives. Methods for modifying HSI models and recommended measurement techniques for model variables are presented in Terreii et al. (in press).l A discussion of HSI model building techniques is presented in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1981).2 The HSI models presented herein are hypotheses of species-habitat rela- tionships, not statements of proven cause and effect relationships. The models have not been tested against field population data. For this reason, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service encourages model users to send comments and suggestions that may help us increase the utility and effectiveness of this habitat-based approach to fish and wildlife planning. Please send comments to: Habitat Evaluation Procedures Western Energy and Land Use Team U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2625 Redwing Road Ft. Collins, CO 80526 1Terrell, J. W., T. E. McMahon, P. D. Inskip, R. F. Raleigh, and K. W. Williamson (in press).- Habitat suitability index models: Appendix A. Guide- lines for riverine and lacustrine applications of fish HSI models with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures. U.S. Dept. Int., Fish Wildl. Serv. FWS/OBS-82-10.A. 2U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1981. Standards for the development of habitat suitability index models. 103 ESM. U.S. Dept. Int., Fish Wildl. Serv., Div. Ecol. Serv. n.p. iii