Chain Pickerel,  Esox niger

 
Physical Description: 
�	Elongate, slightly compressed body
�	Chain-patterned body, pale-finned
�	Single dorsal and anal fins are far posterior on the body, the tail is forked
�	Head slopes to a point; jaws are long and duckbill-shaped, with a slight underbite; long snout
�	Terminal mouth with sharp teeth
�	Line runs down from the eye; the jaw extends to eye

Similar species: 
�	Redfin pickerel (Esox americanus)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 350-500 mm total length

Habitat:
�	Sluggish creeks, rivers, ditches, ponds, and lakes 
�	Adults occupy deep water in the day and shallow water at night
 
Distribution in VA:
�	Native to Atlantic slope drainages

Food Habits:  
�	Small fish eat small crustaceans and insects 
�	Larger fish eat mostly fish 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature between the ages of 1 to 4
�	Spawning occurs in February and March at 2-22�C
�	Spawning occurs in lake and stream shallows in submerged vegetation
�	Fecundity is 342-8,140 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Worthy gamefish, and is good to eat

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

Chain Pickerel Muskellunge Northern Pike Redfin Pike Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes