Freshwater Fish of Connecticut
Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
🏆 Connecticut State Record
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Also called: Pickerel, Grass Pike
Identification
Smaller pike relative with a distinct chain-like pattern over green sides.
Habitat
Weedy shallows of ponds and slow streams.
Behavior
Lies in ambush along weed lines and strikes aggressively.
How to Catch
Small spoons, spinnerbaits, and in-line spinners along weed edges; use a light wire leader.
Notes
Eager and common; teeth are sharp.
Where to find Chain Pickerel in CT
- Alexander Lake Killingly
- Amos Lake Preston
- Anderson Pond North Stonington
- Angus Park Pond Glastonbury
- Ashland Pond Griswold
- Aspinook Pond Canterbury
- Avery Pond Preston
- Babcock Pond Colchester
- Backwater Pond Thompson
- Bald Mountain Pond West Stafford
- Baldwins Pond Meriden
- Ball Pond New Fairfield
- Bantam Lake Morris / Litchfield
- Barber Pond Bloomfield
- Bashan Lake East Haddam
- Batterson Park Pond Farmington
- Baummer Pond Naugatuck
- Beach Pond Voluntown
- Beachdale Pond Voluntown
- Beachland Pond West Hartford
- Beaver Brook Pond Windham
- Beaver Park Lagoon New Haven
- Beseck Lake Middlefield
- Besse Park Pond Torrington