Pike vs. Pickerel
Nov 7, 2021 16:50:26 #
I've caught many Northern Pike but never a Pickerel I think. What is the difference? It seems to me they are not located in the same geographic areas. Is this true?
Nov 7, 2021 17:02:17 #
mistred64 wrote:
I've caught many Northern Pike but never a Pickerel I think. What is the difference? It seems to me they are not located in the same geographic areas. Is this true?
They can be found int he same areas however not usually. Often mistaken for northern pike, chain pickerel do not grow as large as northern pike can grow. Chain pickerel also have a distinct chain pattern in their markings but do closely resemble the markings of northern pike. There is another type , red pickerel with a reddish color in its fins. Seldom do pickerel reach 10 lbs.
Nov 7, 2021 17:03:09 #
mistred64 wrote:
I've caught many Northern Pike but never a Pickerel I think. What is the difference? It seems to me they are not located in the same geographic areas. Is this true?
Supposedly, we have grass pickerel around here, but I have never seen one. A slime dog is a slime dog!
Nov 7, 2021 17:33:32 #
mistred64 wrote:
I've caught many Northern Pike but never a Pickerel I think. What is the difference? It seems to me they are not located in the same geographic areas. Is this true?
We have both here Ed, and often in the same lakes.Pike grow much larger. Our record Pickerel is 8lb 9oz, our record Pike is 29lbs, and was just tied last year.
At that age the markings are pretty faint
Nov 7, 2021 17:53:48 #
I'm in ohio and we have both pickerel and pike. We have chain and grass pickerel. Same family just a different species of pike. Pickerel are found in Southern waters as well where you don't find pike.
Nov 7, 2021 17:56:05 #
Nov 7, 2021 20:47:05 #
Thanks guys. Appreciate your expertise and I'm sure I never caught a Pickerel.
Nov 8, 2021 10:15:01 #
mistred64 wrote:
I've caught many Northern Pike but never a Pickerel I think. What is the difference? It seems to me they are not located in the same geographic areas. Is this true?
Mistred I live about 45 miles west of you and have caught both in Fox chain of lakes many times. So yes both are around you.
Nov 8, 2021 13:20:46 #
Nov 8, 2021 16:56:08 #
coach praska
Loc: Idaho
I worked at raindeer lake Trout camp in sask and landed a 51 inch pike on a fly rod and started atrend for catching pike on a fly! If you have room and can cast they hit flies as good as lures!!
Nov 8, 2021 19:51:32 #
Rayz
Loc: North West N.J. and South Hero Vt.
They inhabit the same waters. Try smaller ponds or lakes for Pickeral. They like red and white Daredevils.
Nov 8, 2021 22:04:18 #
Miker99
Loc: Florida central Gulf Coast Tampa to Veni
That is a nice Pickeral. My largest was just under 7 pounds. I believe the NJ record is about 11 pounds. Really good fight on light rod and spinning reel. My best was caught using a Mepps spinner with minnow. Jumped out of water right on top of it.
Nov 9, 2021 09:06:33 #
Best pickerel I ever caught was 21 inches on a Daredevl in north Jersey.
Nov 9, 2021 10:31:37 #
Miker99 wrote:
That is a nice Pickeral. My largest was just under 7 pounds. I believe the NJ record is about 11 pounds. Really good fight on light rod and spinning reel. My best was caught using a Mepps spinner with minnow. Jumped out of water right on top of it.
The record here in NJ for years has been 9lbs caught in Medford Lakes by Frank McGuire. I caught a 36 in chain pickerel On a live minnow in Medford Lakes (not in the same lake as the record was caught). I’ve also had good success with them on spinner baits and buzz baits.
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