How to Identify American Pickerel

To identify American Pickerel (Esox americanus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

elongated

Coloration

Typically olive-green to dark brown on the back, fading to lighter green or yellowish on the sides, and white on the belly. The sides are marked with 12-30 dark, wavy, vertical bars or vermiculations (worm-like markings), which are more pronounced in the Grass Pickerel subspecies. The Redfin Pickerel subspecies often exhibits reddish-orange lower fins, especially during spawning.

Scale type

cycloid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Fully scaled operculum (gill cover) and cheek (distinguishes from Northern Pike and Muskellunge), Duck-bill shaped snout with sharp, conical teeth, Dark, wavy vertical bars or vermiculations on sides, Reddish-orange lower fins (especially in Redfin Pickerel)

Dorsal fin

Single, posterior dorsal fin located far back on the body, directly above the anal fin. Typically has 11-14 soft rays.

Tail fin

Forked caudal fin.

Pectoral fin

Paired pectoral fins located low on the body.

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are abdominal. All fins are generally rounded, with the lower fins (pelvic, anal, caudal lower lobe) often having a reddish-orange hue, particularly in the Redfin Pickerel subspecies.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Cheek and Operculum Scaling

   Both the cheek and operculum are fully scaled. This is a key differentiator from Northern Pike (Esox lucius) and Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), which have only the upper half of the operculum scaled (Northern Pike) or only the upper half of both the cheek and operculum scaled (Muskellunge).

2. 2

   Body Markings

   Presence of distinct dark, wavy vertical bars or vermiculations on the sides. These are generally more numerous and less distinct than the bean-shaped spots of Chain Pickerel (Esox niger).

3. 3

   Snout Shape

   Distinctive duck-bill shaped snout, characteristic of the pike family.

4. 4

   Size

   Generally smaller than other pike species, rarely exceeding 30-38 cm (12-15 inches) in length.

5. 5

   Fin Coloration

   Reddish-orange lower fins, particularly noticeable in the Redfin Pickerel subspecies, especially during breeding season.

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