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Grass Pickerel

Grass Pickerel

Grass Pickerel are a small subspecies of the American pickerel that were introduced to Maryland and are now established in the Youghiogheny drainage system.

These fish are aggressive predators that exhibit an ontogenetic diet shift and are visual daytime predators that use an ambush feeding strategy, hiding in submerged vegetation to strike prey.

Scientific Name: Esox americanus vermiculatus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by their small size, rarely exceeding 12 inches (300mm) in length and weighing 28-170 grams, with greenish-brown coloration and dark vertical bars along their sides.
  • They have the characteristic dark slash beneath each eye common to all pickerel species.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They prefer shallow (less than 2 meters), vegetated waters including swamps, lakes, backwaters, and slow-moving stream pools with muddy or rocky substrates.

Key Locations

  • In Maryland, target the Youghiogheny drainage system where they're established.
  • Severn River.

Specific Spots

  • Shallow, heavily vegetated waters with structure like fallen trees, brush piles, and dying weed beds.
  • Fish the edges of vegetation, points, and transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water.

Grass Pickerel FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Small spinners (particularly inline spinners), 3-5 inch swimbaits, paddle-tail grubs on 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jigheads, and wobbling spoons. Live minnows suspended under bobbers.

What flies work for Grass Pickerel in Maryland?

Streamers that imitate minnows - white, chartreuse, or yellow patterns work well, including Bullethead Darters on 1/0 or 2/0 hooks.

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

Grass Pickerel fishing is excellent during fall, winter, and early spring when they're most active and not spawning. Winter fishing is particularly productive as they remain active under ice. They are active throughout winter, making them available to anglers year-round except during spawning periods.

How do you catch Grass Pickerel in Maryland?

Present lures with a strip-strip-strip-long pause retrieve, as pickerel often hit on the pause when flies kick sideways. Use live minnows suspended under bobbers set just above weed growth. Cold-weather kayaking in tidal systems like the Severn River can be effective.

What do Grass Pickerel eat?

Juveniles under 50mm feed primarily on small crustaceans and aquatic insects like caddisflies and dragonflies, while adults 100-199mm consume mostly sunfish and minnows, and larger specimens feed predominantly on fish.

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