ORIGINAL: lethalconnection
That is a pike you got there aka chain pickerel. Ive caught those suckers upwards of 15lbs and they can get alot bigger then that and if you want a fight hook into a big one and your arm will probably be tired by the time your done. Here's a picture of one caught in Saskatchewan(sorry about the poor quality)
a chain pickeral is not the same as apike. If you got a 15 pounder then it was a northern pike which is similar to a pickeral only gets much larger.
Chain Pickerel
Esox Niger
Warmwater Species
Average length: 15-20"
A member of the same family that includes northern pike. Unlike pike, pickerel have fully scaled gill covers, and their tail, dorsal and anal fins have no conspicuous spots or blotches. Their flanks are a light, golden green, with dark, chain-like markings.
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Warmwater Species
Average length: 15-20"
A long, slender fish that has a large mouth, and dorsal and anal fins placed far to the rear. They have greenish gray flanks with several rows of irregular, yellowish-white bean shaped spots. Pike have scales only on the upper half of their gill covers and their tail, dorsal and anal fins have dark spots or blotches.