Grass Pickerel
Grass Pickerel are West Virginia's smallest pike family member and small predators that are aggressive ambush predators.
Scientific Name: Esox americanus vermiculatus
These small predators are distinguished from chain pickerel by their smaller size, wider light areas between dark vertical bars, and yellow-green or dusky fins rather than the chain-like pattern of their larger cousins.
Typically growing to only 10-13 inches and weighing under 1 pound, with the state record being just 1 pound.
Fishing in West Virginia
Gauley River
New River
Kanawha River
Elk River
Cranberry River
Little Kanawha River
Greenbrier River
Tygart Valley River
West Fork River
Sutton Lake
What to know
Habitat Distribution
In West Virginia, they're found primarily in the Ohio River watershed system and prefer small stream pools, abandoned channels, backwaters, and floodplain wetlands with abundant aquatic vegetation and woody cover.Key Locations
Focus on small streams, millponds, and weedy backwaters of larger rivers like the Ohio and Potomac systems.Specific Spots
Target areas with dense aquatic vegetation, submerged logs, brush piles, and boat docks in shallow water less than 10 feet deep.Grass Pickerel FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Grass Pickerel in West Virginia?
Effective lures include small inline spinners (Mepps Aglia or Blue Fox in sizes #3-#5), small spinnerbaits, and weighted jigs with soft plastics in sizes #10-#6. During winter, try minnow-tipped jigs below floats, and in late summer, topwater lures can be very effective.
What flies work for Grass Pickerel in West Virginia?
For fly fishing, use medium to large streamers, small flies in sizes #14-#8, and poppers.
When is the best time to fish for Grass Pickerel in West Virginia?
The best time to target grass pickerel in West Virginia is from late fall through early spring (October through March) when they're most active, with early spring being particularly productive. During winter, try slow presentations. In late summer, topwater lures can be very effective.
How do you catch Grass Pickerel in West Virginia?
Present lures with a slow, twitching retrieve near vegetation. During winter, try slow presentations with minnow-tipped jigs below floats.
What do Grass Pickerel eat?
Grass pickerel feed primarily on small fish including minnows, darters (especially johnny darters and mottled sculpins), sunfish, and silversides. Their diet also includes crayfish (which becomes more important as they grow larger), aquatic insects like dragonflies and damselflies, and occasionally small frogs.
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