Pickerel and pike are often confused due to their similar appearances and predatory natures. While these fish share a common lineage and some physical characteristics, they are distinct species with identifiable differences.
A Shared Lineage
Pickerel and pike belong to the Esocidae family, known as the pike family. This family also includes the much larger muskellunge. All members of the genus Esox are characterized by their elongated, torpedo-like bodies, flat heads, and duck-billed snouts, which are adaptations for their ambush predatory lifestyle. Their dorsal and anal fins are positioned far back on the body, close to their forked tail, allowing for sudden bursts of speed to capture prey.
Telling Them Apart: Key Distinctions
Distinguishing between pickerel and pike involves examining physical features. A key indicator is the scaling pattern on their cheeks and gill covers. Pickerel, such as the chain pickerel, have both their cheeks and fully scaled gill covers. In contrast, northern pike have fully scaled cheeks, but only the upper half of their gill covers are scaled.
Body markings also differentiate them. Chain pickerel are named for their distinctive dark, chain-like pattern that stands out against their greenish or yellowish-green sides. Northern pike display lighter, bean-shaped or round to oblong spots on a darker olive-green background. Juvenile northern pike may exhibit slanted bars, which transition to the characteristic spots as they mature.
Size is another notable difference, as northern pike generally grow much larger. The average chain pickerel is often under two pounds, though they can reach up to 24 inches in length and sometimes up to 31 inches. Grass and redfin pickerel rarely exceed 12 inches in length. Northern pike commonly average 16 to 22 inches but can reach 4.5 feet and over 60 pounds. Subtle differences in the number of sensory pores on the underside of their jaws can also aid identification, with pickerel having four pores and northern pike having five.
Common Species You Might Encounter
Within the pickerel group, the Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) is the most recognized, identifiable by its intricate, dark, chain-link pattern. The Grass Pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus) and Redfin Pickerel (Esox americanus americanus) are smaller relatives; the grass pickerel often exhibits wavy or worm-like bars, while the redfin pickerel is distinguished by its reddish or orange fins and a tear-drop marking under the eye that slants backward.
Among the pike, the Northern Pike (Esox lucius) is the most widespread species. Another frequently encountered, though distinct, species often confused with pike is the Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), which represents the largest member of the pike family. Muskellunge can grow significantly larger than northern pike, sometimes exceeding six feet in length and 70 pounds, and their markings can vary from spots to bars or even appear relatively clear.
Habitat and Distribution
Pickerel and pike inhabit different aquatic environments, though some overlap occurs. Pickerel, especially chain pickerel, prefer warmer, shallower waters with abundant aquatic vegetation. These environments include ponds, slow-moving streams, small lakes, and swamps. They are primarily found in eastern and southern North America, extending from Canada down to Florida and west into Texas. Pickerel can also tolerate some brackish water conditions and acidic environments.
Northern pike, conversely, are cool-water species inhabiting cooler, deeper, and often clearer waters of larger lakes and rivers. While they utilize vegetated areas for ambush predation, they also frequent open water and deeper sections. Northern pike have a broad circumpolar distribution, found across North America, Europe, and Asia, generally north of 40 degrees latitude. Muskellunge also prefer larger lakes and rivers, often with substantial weed beds.