PICKEREL, CHAIN

C, P -

PICKEREL, CHAIN

Scientific Name: 
Esox niger
Salt/Fresh: 
Fresh
Also Known As: 
Eastern Pickerel; Eastern Chain Pickerel; Lake Pickerel; Reticulated Pickerel; Federation Pickerel; Mud Pickerel; Green Pike; Black Chain Pike; Duck-billed Pike; Picquerelle; CHAIN PICKEREL; Federation Pike; Southern Pike; Grass Pike; Jack; Jack Fish
Rating: 
Countries: 
Other Countries
United States
Description: 

The Chain Pickerel is a species of freshwater fish in the pike family (family Esocidae) of order Esociformes. The Chain Pickerel and the American pickerel belong to the Esox genus of pike. Chain Pickerel tend to be solitary fish, lurking hidden in the aquatic vegetation, waiting for prey to swim or drift by.

How To Identify: 

The Chain Pickerel has a distinctive, dark, chain-like pattern on its greenish sides. Its body outline resembles that of the Northern Pike. The Chain Pickerel is distinguished from its relatives, the Northern Pike and Muskellunge, by its prominent chain-like markings on a contrasting lighter green background. It may reach up to 30 in(76.2cm) long only on rare occasions. The opercles and cheeks of the fish are entirely scaled. The average size for Chain Pickerel, however, is 24 in(60.96cm) and 3 lb(1,36kg). 

How To Catch: 

The Chain Pickerel is a popular sport fish. It is an energetic fighter when hooked. Anglers have success with live minnows, spinner baits, spoons, plugs, and flies, usually tied with some kind of feather or buck tail material. If the angler intends to release a fish, it is advisable use pliers to flatten the barbs on the lure's hooks. Chain Pickerel can swallow an entire lure, so it will be much easier to free a deeply hooked fish and get it back into the water as soon as possible.

Practically any bass lure can be effective for Chain Pickerel, although like most pike, they seem to be particularly susceptible to flashy lures which imitate small forage fish. Dragging a plastic worm, lizard, frog, or other soft imitation can also be extremely effective. A Texas rig method is recommended with these soft baits for productive fishing in the weeds.

A steel leader is necessary for sharp-toothed and active fish at two to three pounds. The angler would also do well to use 12- to 17-lb-test line on an open-faced spinning reel. Methods are similar to those for bass, such as dragging a lure through weeds in shallow water and jerking it side-to-side to give it the look of injured prey. Chain Pickerel are voracious and opportunistic feeders, and will attack most any fodder that moves into their range of vision.

Where Found: 

Internationally

Its range is along the eastern coast of North America from southern Canada to Florida, and west to Texas. On the Atlantic Coast, in Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, the Chain Pickerel extend as far as 46°N. The fish inhabits fresh water from the Mississippi Valley into southern Wisconsin. It also is commonly found in Lake Michigan and the lower portion of the Great Lakes. They also range to the Florida Panhandle.

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