Grass Pickerel

Body Type & Identification: The smallest and most widespread pickerel — typically 6–12 inches. Distinguished from Redfin Pickerel by an even shorter snout and by range (Grass Pickerel is found in the Great Lakes and Mississippi drainage, not the Atlantic coastal plain). A fully scaled cheek. Dark vertical bars on a greenish background. A secretive, vegetated-water specialist.

Preferred Water Temperature: 60°F–74°F. Found in heavily vegetated lakes, ponds, and slow rivers throughout the central US. A warm-water tolerant pickerel more common in the Midwest than other pickerel species.

Habitat: Heavily vegetated lakes, ponds, and slow rivers of the Great Lakes drainage and Mississippi drainage from Quebec south to the Gulf Coast. The most widely distributed pickerel in the interior US. Associated with dense aquatic vegetation — lily pads, cattails, and submerged weeds. Often found in farm ponds and heavily vegetated backwaters.

Best Lures: Tiny spoons and spinners near vegetation. Small weedless jigs are effective. Micro swimbaits work near weed edges.

Best Baits: Small live minnows are effective. Small worm pieces produce catches. Small frogs work near lily pads. Very light tackle with small hooks near dense aquatic vegetation.

Top 5 Destinations: Lake Erie marshes OH, Michigan farm ponds, Mississippi River backwaters, Wisconsin lake districts, Illinois River IL.

The smallest and most widespread pickerel — typically 6–12 inches. Distinguished from Redfin Pickerel by an even shorter snout and by range (Grass Pickerel is found in the Great Lakes and Mississippi drainage, not the Atlantic coastal plain). A fully scaled cheek. Dark vertical bars on a greenish background. A secretive, vegetated-water specialist.

Heavily vegetated lakes, ponds, and slow rivers of the Great Lakes drainage and Mississippi drainage from Quebec south to the Gulf Coast. The most widely distributed pickerel in the interior US. Associated with dense aquatic vegetation — lily pads, cattails, and submerged weeds. Often found in farm ponds and heavily vegetated backwaters.

60°F–74°F. Found in heavily vegetated lakes, ponds, and slow rivers throughout the central US. A warm-water tolerant pickerel more common in the Midwest than other pickerel species.

Best Lures: Tiny spoons and spinners near vegetation. Small weedless jigs are effective. Micro swimbaits work near weed edges. Best Baits: Small live minnows are effective. Small worm pieces produce catches. Small frogs work near lily pads. Very light tackle with small hooks near dense aquatic vegetation.

Lake Erie marshes OH, Michigan farm ponds, Mississippi River backwaters, Wisconsin lake districts, Illinois River IL.