Redfin Pickerel
Connecticut's smallest pike species, a native warmwater species that are notoriously elusive and require specialized techniques to catch.
Scientific Name: Esox americanus americanus
- Typically measuring 5-9 inches with a maximum recorded size of 11.4 inches in state surveys.
- Distinguished by dark vertical bars on their sides (no chain-like markings), shorter snouts compared to chain pickerel, and distinctive reddish lower fins.
Fishing in Connecticut
Connecticut River
Farmington River
North Atlantic Ocean
Housatonic River
Naugatuck River
The Thimbles
Willimantic River
Westfield River
Paper Rock Shoal
Saugatuck River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Spotty distribution across Connecticut - most common in coastal and Connecticut River drainages but absent from most Housatonic, Thames, and western coastal watersheds.
- They're uncommon to absent in many western Connecticut watersheds.
Key Locations
- Most common in coastal and Connecticut River drainages, absent from most Housatonic, Thames, and western coastal watersheds.
- Target the coastal and Connecticut River drainage areas where populations are most stable.
Specific Spots
- Quiet vegetated backwaters of streams and small ponds, shallow waters with dense aquatic vegetation or decaying organic matter, quiet vegetated backwaters, small ponds, and stream edges with dense aquatic vegetation.
- Focus on areas with lots of decaying organic matter where they wait to ambush prey.
Redfin Pickerel FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Redfin Pickerel in Connecticut?
Small live fish as bait, small lures and baits when fished in their preferred shallow-water habitat.
When is the best time to fish for Redfin Pickerel in Connecticut?
Summer offers the best fishing opportunities. Avoid fishing during spawning periods (late February through early May) when they migrate to small tributary streams.
How do you catch Redfin Pickerel in Connecticut?
Use small live fish as bait with a bobber or float in extremely shallow water. Dr.agging dip nets through heavy cover is highly effective, particularly long-handled dip nets during summer months.
What do Redfin Pickerel eat?
As ambush predators, they feed on crayfish, smaller fishes, insect larvae, and newly hatched fish eat insect e.g.gs and spawning fish e.g.gs.
Where do Redfin Pickerel live in Connecticut?
Spotty distribution across Connecticut - most common in coastal and Connecticut River drainages but absent from most Housatonic, Thames, and western coastal watersheds. They're uncommon to absent in many western Connecticut watersheds.
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