The main diet of the pickerel consists of small fish, crayfish, frogs, mice, newts and insects. Chain Pickerel spawn in the early spring when water temperatures approach 50 F. Pickerel eggs are adhesive ribbon-like masses that are attached to submerged vegetation or structure. The female lays up to 50,000 eggs but does not stay to guard them as many other fish do. Pickerel may reach fourteen inches in length by their third year and become sexually mature by their fourth. They can live for 10 years, reach a length of 3 feet and weigh 7 lbs.
Pickerel are excellent sport fish which provide anglers with a year-round fishery.
They are sought after by diehard anglers in the coldest part of the winter and can be caught in the middle of the summer as well. Pickerel are good fighters on light spinning and fly tackle and will readily take a live minnow, streamer fly, spoon, spinner or a variety of other lures. Just keep in mind that a steel or heavy monofilament leader will help you to land more of these toothy critters. Some of the more popular places in Maryland to fish for pickerel include, Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, Magothy and Severn Rivers in Anne Arundel County, Loch Raven Res. in Baltimore County, and St. Mary's Lake in St. Marys County. Eastern shore waters include Tuckahoe Lake, Johnson's Pond, Smithville Lake and numerous tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.