Chain Pickerel

Body Type & Identification: Long, slender with a distinctive chain-link or reticulated pattern of dark lines on a green background — the most distinctive of the pickerel species. A fully scaled cheek and gill cover (unlike Northern Pike which has scales on only part). The largest of the pickerel species — a miniature version of Northern Pike. Outstanding light tackle sport fish.

Preferred Water Temperature: 55°F–72°F. A cool-water species found in weedy lakes, ponds, and slow rivers. Most aggressive in cool water — spring and fall produce the best action. Ice fishing target in northern portions of the range.

Habitat: Weedy lakes, ponds, rivers, and swamps of the Atlantic coastal plain and eastern US from Maine to Florida and west to Texas. Very common in vegetated lakes of New England and the Mid-Atlantic. A dominant predator in weedy, shallow lake systems of the East Coast.

Best Lures: Small spoons (Daredevle) are the classic pickerel lure. Small spinners and spinnerbaits work very well. Small swimbaits near weeds produce strikes. Small topwater lures at dawn. Fly fishing with small streamers is excellent. Wire leader recommended — their teeth slice monofilament.

Best Baits: Live small shiners free-lined near weed edges are very effective. Small live perch work well. Live small frogs produce strikes near lily pads. Small live minnows under a float near vegetation. Wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader is recommended.

Top 5 Destinations: Lake Champlain VT/NY, Quabbin Reservoir MA, Delaware River, Dismal Swamp VA/NC, Okefenokee Swamp GA/FL.

Long, slender with a distinctive chain-link or reticulated pattern of dark lines on a green background — the most distinctive of the pickerel species. A fully scaled cheek and gill cover (unlike Northern Pike which has scales on only part). The largest of the pickerel species — a miniature version of Northern Pike. Outstanding light tackle sport fish.

Weedy lakes, ponds, rivers, and swamps of the Atlantic coastal plain and eastern US from Maine to Florida and west to Texas. Very common in vegetated lakes of New England and the Mid-Atlantic. A dominant predator in weedy, shallow lake systems of the East Coast.

55°F–72°F. A cool-water species found in weedy lakes, ponds, and slow rivers. Most aggressive in cool water — spring and fall produce the best action. Ice fishing target in northern portions of the range.

Best Lures: Small spoons (Daredevle) are the classic pickerel lure. Small spinners and spinnerbaits work very well. Small swimbaits near weeds produce strikes. Small topwater lures at dawn. Fly fishing with small streamers is excellent. Wire leader recommended — their teeth slice monofilament. Best Baits: Live small shiners free-lined near weed edges are very effective. Small live perch work well. Live small frogs produce strikes near lily pads. Small live minnows under a float near vegetation. Wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader is recommended.

Lake Champlain VT/NY, Quabbin Reservoir MA, Delaware River, Dismal Swamp VA/NC, Okefenokee Swamp GA/FL.