Investigating the distribution, movement, and behavior of animals is crucial for ecological and evolutionary studies. One way of doing that is by tracking the animals. For aquatic organisms like fish, methods such as passive integrated transponders (PIT tags) or acoustic telemetry are often used. PIT tags are small electronic microchips, usually inserted under the skin of the animal using a needle. PIT tags are however limited by their short detection range. In contrast, acoustic telemetry offers broader detection ranges, and works through transmitters sending out acoustic waves picked up by receivers. Acoustic telemetry can also give information about other variables, such as acceleration. This method typically involves surgical implantation of the acoustic tags, which requires sedation. In addition, both PIT tagging and acoustic tagging requires, training, and ethical permits. Despite numerous studies on the effects of PIT tagging on fish welfare, research on the impacts of acoustic tagging remains limited. Investigating such effects is crucial for ensuring animal welfare. This study examined the long-term effects of surgically implanting acoustic transmitters on the growth and survival of Northern Pike (Esox lucius). This was done by analyzing data from pike tagged and recaptured between 2020 and 2023, comparing individuals tagged with acoustic tags to those tagged with PIT tags. The results showed no evidence of effects on the growth or survival rates of pike due to the surgically implantation of acoustic transmitters. These findings indicates that the pike were not negatively affected by the tagging procedure, including sedation and handling. This supports the continued use of acoustic telemetry, offering potential for valuable insights into aquatic ecosystems in future research.