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Grass Pickerel

Grass Pickerel

The Grass Pickerel is a small member of the pike family found throughout Illinois, particularly in the southern half of the state as part of the Greater Mississippi River Basin. These fish are the smallest esocids in Illinois waters.

Scientific Name: Esox americanus vermiculatus

Physical Characteristics:

Typically measuring 5-10 inches in length with a maximum size around 15 inches and rarely exceeding 1 pound.

They're distinguished by their elongated, cylindrical body, duck-like snout filled with sharp teeth, and distinctive dark vertical bars running along their sides. Juveniles display a bright lateral stripe that fades as they mature.

Unlike their redfin pickerel relatives, grass pickerel fins are typically yellow or amber colored rather than red or orange.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

Found throughout Illinois, particularly in the southern half of the state as part of the Greater Mississippi River Basin. They inhabit densely vegetated waters including small streams, swamps, drainage ditches, slow-moving backwater areas of rivers, weedy bays of lakes, and shallow wetlands.

Key Locations

Fox River Basin waters, various state fish and wildlife areas, backwater habitats of major river systems, backwater areas of the Fox River system, weedy bays of Illinois lakes, and vegetated sections of slow-moving streams and drainage ditches throughout the state's southern regions.

Specific Spots

Focus on vegetated areas including weed edges, lily pad beds, cattail marshes, and areas with submerged timber or brush. Look for accessible shoreline spots where weedy cover meets open water pockets. Target shallow areas (less than 6 feet) near heavy cover.

Grass Pickerel FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Grass Pickerel in Illinois?

Small jigs (#10-#6) with soft plastics, safety-pin spinnerbaits (#8-#4 for average fish, #2-#1 for larger specimens), soft plastic jerkbaits like the Zoom Super Fluke rigged weedless, small inline spinners, spoons, and topwater lures including poppers and walking baits in shallow water during summer.

What flies work for Grass Pickerel in Illinois?

Medium-to-large flies (#14-#8) including small streamers with built-in flash, frog patterns for surface fishing, and nymph patterns that imitate dragonfly larvae and other aquatic insects.

When is the best time to fish for Grass Pickerel in Illinois?

Spring and fall when they're most active, avoiding the spawning period from February through April. Early morning and late evening can be productive, especially during summer when they may move shallow to feed.

How do you catch Grass Pickerel in Illinois?

Work lures through openings in vegetation, twitching baits in holes between lily pads or emergent plants. Use a ram-style ambush technique approach, positioning near vegetation or structure.

What do Grass Pickerel eat?

Ambush predators with an ontogenetic diet shift - juveniles under 50mm feed on small crustaceans and aquatic insects, while larger specimens (100-199mm) consume primarily sunfish and minnows, with adults over 200mm feeding almost exclusively on fish.

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