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Chain Pickerel

Chain Pickerel

Chain Pickerel are native to Missouri's southeastern Ozark region, limited to streams and some lakes in the southeastern counties. These slender predators are ambush predators that lie motionless in dense vegetation waiting to dart out at prey.

Scientific Name: Esox niger

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by dark chain-like patterns on their greenish sides, a duck-bill shaped snout with sharp teeth, and a vertical dark bar below the eye.
  • They typically measure 16-22 inches in Missouri waters, though the state record weighed 5 pounds 1 ounce.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to Missouri's southeastern Ozark region, limited to streams and some lakes in the southeastern counties.
  • Inhabit clear, quiet waters with abundant aquatic vegetation, particularly in backwater sloughs of streams.

Key Locations

  • Southeastern counties including Oregon, Shannon, Pulaski, Ripley, Dunklin, Texas, Stoddard, Wayne, Carter, Howell, and Reynolds.
  • The Jacks Fork River, Current River, and Eleven Point River systems are particularly productive.
  • State record caught at Clearwater Dam spillway.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on areas with abundant aquatic vegetation including coontail moss, cattails, bulrushes, and water lilies, especially around fallen logs and cypress trees.
  • Fish are often found in the same areas as largemouth bass.

Chain Pickerel FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Chain Pickerel in Missouri?

Silver spoons with pork rind trailers, spinnerbaits (especially double-bladed), small spinners like Rooster Tails, chugger plugs, slim minnow lures, 3-inch curly tail grubs (Mister Twister), jigs, plastic worms, crankbaits, and stick baits.

What flies work for Chain Pickerel in Missouri?

White, red, and black streamers, Clouser minnows, foam gurglers, Dahlberg divers, and articulated patterns.

When is the best time to fish for Chain Pickerel in Missouri?

Chain pickerel fishing in Missouri is excellent from October through March, with winter months being particularly productive as they remain active when other species are sluggish. Can be caught year-round with no closed season.

How do you catch Chain Pickerel in Missouri?

Cast parallel to cover using a steady, moderate retrieve, or employ a twitch-and-stop technique with topwater lures. Try 'skittering' technique using 10-12 foot poles with pork frogs jerked across weed openings. Live minnows on size 1-4 fine-wire hooks with split shot and bobbers are highly effective.

What do Chain Pickerel eat?

Adults feed primarily on fish, frogs, snakes, mice, worms, and crayfish, with studies showing golden shiners comprising 47% of their diet, brown bullheads 14%, pumpkinseed sunfish 13%, and crayfish 42%. Young feed on small crustaceans and aquatic insects until reaching about 4 inches.

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