Chain Pickerel Fact Sheet Chain Pickerel Esox niger Life History Chain pickerel, a popular gamefish along the Atlantic Coast, are found in Maryland primarily in freshwater impoundments and the tidal tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. The chain pickerel is distinguished from its relatives, the Northern Pike and Muskellunge, by its prominent chain-like markings on a contrasting lighter green background. Pickerel are attracted to weedy pools in streams, ponds, lakes and rivers.
Pickerel are sight-oriented predators and are predominately active during the day.
They are quite opportunistic feeders and strike with incredible speed when some unwary prey swim nearby. 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.