redfinpick
Species Facts

Science Name: Esox americanus
Other Names: little pickerel, mud pickerel, grass pickerel, banded pickerel, redfinned pike
Ideal Temp: 75 to 85
World Record: 2 lbs. 10ounces, GA
Environment: stream, lake
Techniques: light tackle, casting
Description

Description - Redfin pickerels have 15 to 36 dark, wavy vertical bars and reddish-orange lower fins. Otherwise the coloration is much the same as that of chain pickerels. There is a dark, backward slanting bar below the eye. The snout is shorter and broader than that of a chain pickerel. Normally there are 11 to 13 branchiosstegal rays on the underside of the lower jaw. The cheek and gill covers are completely scaled.

Subspecies - Two are recognized: the redfin pickerel (Esox americanus americanus), and the grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus). Both subspecies hybridize with chain pickerels in the Florida Panhandle. Most of the redfin pickerels in Florida are intergrades between (Esox americanus americanus) and (Esox americanus vermiculatus). (Esox americanus americanus) occurs in extreme northeast Florida.

Habitat - Usually found in among heavy growths of aquatic plants in sluggish streams, in shallow coves of lakes or in ponds. They prefer water from 75 to 80 degrees. Redfin pickerels may be the dominant predator fish in small creeks.

Spawning Habits - Spawning occurs in the spring in shallow, weedy waters. Eggs are adhesive and are scattered freely among submerged vegetation. They become sexually mature by at least age two. No parental care is given to the eggs or fry.

Feeding Habits - Small fish make up most of their diet, but they also eat aquatic insects and various other invertebrates.

Age and Growth - This species grows much more slowly than other members of the pike family. The maximum age is about eight years, but the usual life span is seven to eight years. There is little difference in growth between males and females, although females live longer. Redfin pickerels rarely exceed 12 inches long.

Sporting Quality - These pickerel are scrappy fighters, but its small size limits their popularity as sport fish. They can be caught on minnows, streamers, small spinners, spoons and plugs. Redfin pickerel are a lot of fun to catch on light spinning tackle.

Eating Quality - White, flaky, sweet-tasting meat, but quite bony.

Tips for Fishing

They can be caught on minnows, streamers, small spinners, spoons and plugs. Redfin pickerel are a lot of fun to catch on light spinning tackle.