Chain Pickerel

Pike are long, slender, predator fish, popular with anglers for their aggressive attacks, size and for their sporting fight. Four species of the pike family live in the North America; the grass pickerel-redfin pickerel, the chain pickerel, the northern pike and the muskellunge.

The redfin and grass pickerel are the smallest members of the pike family, growing to 12 inches at most. The two fish are twin sub species of Esox americanus and are very are similar in appearance. The redfin pickerel is greenish gray to dark olive-bronze on the back, with shading down its sides.The redfin's native range is along the Atlantic Coast from Massachusetts to Florida. In the Gulf Coast and southeast states, it mixes and interbreeds with the grass pickerel.

Grass pickerel are similar to chain pickerel, having a dark tear drop under their eye, a light stripe down their back and a pattern of blotches or vertical lines on their side. Grass pickerel can be distinguished from northern pike or muskellunge by their lack of spots or dark markings on their fins. The grass pickerel is native throughout the Mississippi River watershed. Chain pickerel can be distinguished from grass pickerel by their chain like pattern of large oblong spots on their side.

Chain Pickerel T Shirt
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The chain pickerel is distinguished from its relatives, the Northern Pike and Muskellunge, by its prominent chain-like markings on a green background. They are identified by their fully scaled cheek and gill cover, slender body, large head and conspicuous dark bar beneath each eye. Chain pickerel are the smallest game fish of the Pike family. They reach a length of 3 feet and weigh up to 7 lbs.