Grass Pickerel and Similar Species
Esox americanus vermiculatus
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Open the appSeveral fish can be confused with Grass Pickerel. Here are the key differences.
Species often confused with {name}
Redfin Pickerel
Esox americanus americanus
Key differences: While also having fully scaled cheeks and opercles, the Redfin Pickerel typically has more distinct, often reddish, vertical bars on its sides that are less vermiculated than those of the Grass Pickerel. Its fins, particularly the caudal and anal fins, are often distinctly reddish.
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Key differences: Northern Pike have the lower half of their opercle (gill cover) scaleless, whereas Grass Pickerel have fully scaled opercles. Northern Pike also grow much larger and have horizontal rows of light spots on a dark background, rather than vertical bars or vermiculations.
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
Key differences: Muskellunge have the lower halves of both their cheeks and opercles scaleless. They are also much larger, and their markings vary from spotted to barred to clear, but are distinct from the vermiculations of the Grass Pickerel.
Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
Key differences: Chain Pickerel have fully scaled cheeks and opercles, similar to Grass Pickerel, but their body pattern consists of a distinctive chain-like or reticulated pattern on a greenish-gold background, rather than vertical bars or vermiculations. They also grow larger than Grass Pickerel.
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