Fish Profile - Red Fin Pickerel

The redfin pickerel closely resembles the chain pickerel, but is smaller and chunkier. It is olive green to dark brown in color with wavy vertical bars on its sides and a dark eyebar beneath its eyes. There are eight sensory pores on the underside of the lower jaw and the dorsal fin is darkly pigmented orange to red, hence its suitable name "redfin."

The redfin pickerel occurs in weedy areas of sluggish streams and lakes and ponds. It is very tolerant of low oxygen conditions and can live in brackish waters, as well. Like the chain pickerel, it spawns in early spring (March-April) along grassy stream banks or in flooded backwaters.

Because redfin pickerel are small and similar to chain pickerel, anglers generally do not recognize these fish when hooked.

Species Facts

Science Name: Esox americanus Other Names: little pickerel, mud pickerel, grass pickerel, banded pickerel, redfinned pike Ideal Temp: 75 to 85 World Record: 2 lbs. 10ounces, GA Environment: stream, lake Techniques: light tackle, casting

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