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Chain Pickerel

Chain Pickerel

Chain pickerel are aggressive members of the pike family found throughout Vermont in various lakes, ponds and rivers.

They're voracious predators and ambush feeders that lurk motionlessly in shallow aquatic vegetation, resembling drifting sticks until they strike with lightning speed.

Scientific Name: Esox niger

Also known as grass pike, jack, jack fish

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by their light, golden-green flanks with distinctive dark, chain-like markings and fully scaled gill covers.
  • Vermont's state record is 6 lbs. 4 oz., caught in Harriman Reservoir in 1974.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Vermont in various lakes, ponds and rivers.
  • They prefer vegetated lakes, swamps, and quiet pools.
  • Widespread in many smaller waters statewide.

Key Locations

  • Lake Champlain and tributaries, Lake Memphremagog, Salem Lake, Connecticut River, Lake Fairlee, Berlin and Salem ponds, Lake Champlain system, Green River Reservoir, Lowell Lake, Gale Meadows Pond, Sadawga Pond, Echo Lake, and smaller ponds throughout Vermont.

Specific Spots

  • Target shallow aquatic vegetation such as milfoil, coontail, pondweed, and lily pads.
  • In summer, focus on deeper weedlines near the thermocline.
  • In winter they remain active in deeper areas around structure and vegetation.

Chain Pickerel FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Effective lures include spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater plugs, Texas-rigged plastic worms, jigs, inline spinners, spoons, and soft plastic swimbaits like pearl flukes. Live bait is extremely effective - suspend 2-4 inch minnows or shiners.

What flies work for Chain Pickerel in Vermont?

Use large streamers (2/0-4), Woolly Buggers, craft fur baitfish patterns, Clouser Minnows, and poppers (1/0-4) for surface action.

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

Best fishing occurs during early spring pre-spawn (March-April) when they're most aggressive, though they remain active through winter ice fishing. During summer, larger pickerel move to deeper weedlines near the thermocline, while in winter they remain active in deeper areas around structure and vegetation.

How do you catch Chain Pickerel in Vermont?

Use moderate to fast retrieves with steady motion, though erratic jerky retrieves can trigger strikes from reluctant fish. For live bait, suspend 2-4 inch minnows or shiners 12-48 inches deep with a float or bobber. For ice fishing, use tip-ups with live minnows or jig with bright spoons.

What do Chain Pickerel eat?

Feed primarily on smaller fish like golden shiners, brown bullheads, and pumpkinseed sunfish, but will also consume frogs, mice, crayfish, insects, and other aquatic organisms.

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