Northern pike in the wild will grow to six inches their first month. And to 30 inches in five years. This is in a body of water that sees seasonal temperature changes slowing growth in the colder months. In a tank where temps will be above 60 degrees all the time and food easily available(compared to having to wait for it i the wild) I would believe growth rates being much higher. A northern pikes home range ranges from 20 to 500 acres. I read a study somewhere stating that they move sometimes as much as 4km in as little as 12 hours.
So a 500 hundred gallon tank is a good starting point. But IMO to keep a northern for life a much larger tank ( 12x 5 footprint) would be more appropriate. Also northern require a little cooler water than your other esox family members.
I think a 500 gallon trout tank would be better decision. Keep in consideration that trout also require a lower temp. If your basement stays cool than it should be fine. Plus maybe some current for them to swim and play in. And trout especially from a fish farm can be much easier to switch over to pellets.
I love natives also and have dedicated the last 15 years of my aquarium hobby to them. I currently have four of my tanks a 150,135,75 and a 10 dedicated to natives. Just recently I have started keeping tropical plants and shrimp.So that what I have in my other four tanks.
