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Redfin Pickerel

Redfin Pickerel

The Redfin Pickerel (Esox americanus americanus) is a subspecies of American pickerel belonging to the pike family. In New York, it's the smallest member of the Esocidae family.

These ambush predators prefer quiet vegetated backwaters of streams, small ponds, and shallow areas rarely exceeding 10-12 feet deep. They thrive in clear waters with dense aquatic vegetation where they hide motionless waiting to strike prey.

Scientific Name: Esox americanus americanus

Physical Characteristics:
  • Typically measuring 5-9 inches with some reaching 11-12 inches maximum.
  • They're distinguished by their distinctive orange to red fin coloration, particularly on the pelvic and pectoral fins, shorter broader snout compared to other pickerels, and dark vertical bars on their sides rather than chain-like markings.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • New York's redfin pickerel have a spotty distribution.
  • They're most common where chain pickerel are rare and occasionally hybridize with chain pickerel.

Key Locations

  • Found in the coastal and Connecticut River drainages but absent from most Housatonic, Thames, and western coastal watersheds.

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow vegetated areas less than 10 feet deep including weed beds, lily pads, fallen timber, and areas with dense aquatic vegetation or decaying organic matter.
  • Fish in water as shallow as several inches to 2 feet.

Redfin Pickerel FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Redfin Pickerel in New York?

Live bait: small minnows and shiners. For lures: casting spoons, shads, poppers, walkers, frog patterns, inline spinners, spinnerbaits, small jigs, and soft plastic swimbaits. Weightless-rigged soft plastics like Berkley PowerBait Minnows or Zoom Flukes, Texas-rigged pearl flukes, jointed hard swimbaits.

What flies work for Redfin Pickerel in New York?

Large streamers, craft fur baitfish patterns, and wooly buggers. Effective streamers include flashy patterns and realistic forage fish imitations. Frog patterns work excellently near lily pads and shoreline structure.

When is the best time to fish for Redfin Pickerel in New York?

Redfin pickerel fishing peaks from early May through July, with good action continuing through fall and winter ice fishing opportunities. They spawn from late February to early May in heavily vegetated shallow waters when temperatures range from 39-65°F.

How do you catch Redfin Pickerel in New York?

Live bait suspended under a bobber just above weed growth. Use size 8 barbless hooks and fish in water as shallow as several inches to 2 feet. Dip nets dragged through heavy cover work well in summer. In warmer water, use weightless-rigged soft plastics with erratic dart-and-pause retrieves.

What do Redfin Pickerel eat?

Their diet consists primarily of smaller fish like minnows, yellow perch, and white suckers, plus crayfish, aquatic insects, frogs, and crustaceans. Juveniles feed on small crustaceans, cladocerans, amphipods, and aquatic insects until reaching about 50mm.

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