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Chain Pickerel

Chain Pickerel

Chain pickerel are native predatory fish distributed throughout New Hampshire's freshwater systems, including lakes, ponds, and slow-flowing sections of rivers and streams.

These torpedo-shaped members of the pike family are aggressive year-round and generally easy to catch, making them excellent targets when other species aren't cooperative.

These relatively short-lived but fast-growing fish reach up to 2 feet in their third year and serve as top predators throughout New Hampshire's water systems.

Scientific Name: Esox niger

Physical Characteristics:
  • Torpedo-shaped members of the pike family distinguished by distinctive dark chain-like markings over a dark green to yellowish-green background and a dark bar beneath the eye that extends straight down.
  • Fast-growing fish reach up to 2 feet in their third year.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Distributed throughout New Hampshire's freshwater systems, including lakes, ponds, and slow-flowing sections of rivers and streams.
  • They inhabit shallow waters less than 10 feet deep with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Key Locations

  • Lakes/Central Region in nearly all lakes, ponds, and medium to large rivers including the Merrimack and Connecticut rivers, and in the Southeast/Merrimack Valley in waters like Arlington Mills Reservoir, Massabesic Lake, Pawtuckaway Lake, and numerous other ponds and rivers across the state.
  • New Hampshire's warmwater lakes and ponds including Winnipesaukee, Connecticut River oxbows, and countless smaller waters statewide.

Specific Spots

  • Shallow waters less than 10 feet deep with abundant aquatic vegetation, which they use as cover for ambush hunting.
  • Areas with weedbeds, lily pads, and marshy areas, vegetation edges and breaklines.

Chain Pickerel FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Live shiners 4-5 inches long (particularly Arkansas shiners, pond shiners, emerald shiners, and chubs), buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, Zara Spooks, Baby Torpedos, Original Floating Rapalas, plastic worms, Johnson Silver Minnows, inline spinners like Mepps Aglia (#2-#4) and Blue Fox Vibrax, spoons like Dardevles and Williams...

What flies work for Chain Pickerel in New Hampshire?

Streamers in white, chartreuse, yellow, silver, and combinations, plus darker patterns like black, olive, and purple - black woolly buggers with orange coneheads can be deadly.

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

Winter ice fishing (prime time in February for trophy fish), Spring fishing picks up as water temperatures rise into the high 50s-low 60s, with June being prime topwater time. Avoid fishing during spawning to protect reproduction (just after ice melt when water temperatures reach 36-72°F).

How do you catch Chain Pickerel in New Hampshire?

Target areas less than 10 feet deep with abundant aquatic vegetation, weedbeds, lily pads, and marshy areas. Fish early morning and late evening during summer heat, focus on vegetation edges and breaklines.

What do Chain Pickerel eat?

Voracious predators feeding on other fish species including shiners, bullheads, and sunfish, as well as snakes, frogs, ducklings, crayfish, insects, worms, mice, and even muskrats.

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