Fish Profile - Grass Pickerel

A subspecies of redfin pickerel, grass pickerel have a very spotty distribution in New York State. Grass pickerel are often mistaken for young northern pike, but can be distinguished by their fully scaled cheeks and gill covers. Like other pickerel, grass pickerel have eight sensory pores on the underside of the lower jaw and a distinct dark bar beneath each eye.

Grass pickerel prefer heavily vegetated areas of slow-moving streams, lakes, and ponds. They spawn at approximately the same time of year as redfins, usually in March or April. Spawning occurs in upstream sections of flooded streams and marshes where vegetation is plentiful.

Species Facts

Science Name: Esox americanus vermiculatus Other Names: Little pickerel, barred pickerel, mud pickerel, slough pike, pickerel

Home :: Contact Us :: Parnelle Homepage :: Admin