Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 40

Grass Pickerel, Esox americanus vermiculatus
THE LITTLEST PIKE
by Rob Criswell
photos by the author
I
f you are an avid Pennsylvania angler, you are probably
aware of the state record for the Muskellunge,
arguably the top-of-the-heap finny predator of the
Commonwealth. That Muskellunge, caught on Conneaut
Lake, Crawford County, in 1924, weighed 54 plus pounds,
and is a benchmark that may never be broken. The pike
family, from which the musky hails, also includes two other
sportfish heavyweights-the Northern Pike and Chain
Pickerel. Although not in their larger cousin's class, they are
both good-sized fighters and popular sportfish.
But, did you know that a fourth pike also plies
Pennsylvania waters? It is as obscure as the musky is
famous, and most Pennsylvanians have probably never
seen it. And it goes by two common names, depending on
where you find it.
Esox americanus comes in two subspecies. Subspecies
americanus, the Redfin Pickerel, occurs in the Delaware
River drainage and subspecies vermiculatus, the
Grass Pickerel, occupies the Ohio River and Lake
Erie drainages. They may be considered " mini-pikes, "
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
generally reaching only 6- to 10-inches as adults, with a
maximum " trophy " size of 14 inches.
They retain the typical torpedo shape of their larger
relatives and are similar enough in appearance that they
can be confused with the young of their larger kin. The
Redfin Pickerel is true to its name, with a reddish or
orange hue on its pelvic and anal fins. The fins of the Grass
Pickerel are yellowish-green or dusky.
These fish enjoy a secluded existence in clear streams,
ponds, and wetlands and are never far from submerged
vegetation or woody debris. This cover suits them well, for
they are ambush predators.
Pickerel are not early risers, usually feeding in the late
afternoon or early evening. Young americanus feed on
small crustaceans, insects, and small fish. In one study,
as they grew larger (2½- to 4-inches), they fed almost
exclusively on fish, then (4- to 6-inches) a mixed table fare
of fish and crayfish, and larger individuals (6 inches and
up) dined primarily on crayfish. Elsewhere adults usually
rely on fish to keep their bellies full. And, they can be
voracious. A 9½-inch Wisconsin pickerel ingested a 4-inch
sunfish, and a 3-inch perch was found in an 8-inch adult.
Pickerel spawn during April and May in shallow
vegetated waters or overflow areas after heavy rains. A
second, smaller spawning effort may occur in late summer
or early fall. They breed in small groups by dispersing their
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023

Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 18
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 22
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 38
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 40
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 42
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 43
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2023 - Cover4
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