Chain Pickerel

Chain Pickerel

Esox niger

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Abundant
Habitat: Wetland
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)
Lifespan: 3-4 years

Known for its long, yellow body, long snout, toothy mouth, and dark vertical bar under the eye. The feisty Chain Pickerel or “Jack” is often found around sunken ledges and weed beds in the deepest parts of a freshwater river, pond, or stream. Anglers say that the Jack is a good fighter and fun to catch, but only average to eat because of the many bones.

Diet

Smaller fish when young, larger fish as adults, frogs, snakes, worms, mice, other small mammals, crayfish, and insects

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Salmoniformes
Family: Esocidae
Genus: Esox
Species: Esox niger

Scientific Name

Esox niger
Breeding Season
December-May
Lifespan
3-4 years

Behavior

Chain pickerel can be active at any time of day and are not considered nocturnal or diurnal. However, they are generally more active in the early morning and late afternoon when they are actively feeding. Chain pickerel are solitary fish.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Wetland

Geographic Distribution

Main native range is on the Atlantic slope, from southern Maine south to Florida and in freshwater drainages along the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico, from Florida west to east Texas, including the lower Mississippi. The species is considered invasive in some northern regions, like Nova Scotia.

Local Abundance

Abundant

Range Map

Range map

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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