Synonyms: American Pickerel, Jack.
Chain Pickerel are widespread in Maryland in freshwater impoundments and tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. They have been widely introduced throughout their range. The species should be expected in all Maryland counties, but MBP still needs county records for about half the counties (and of course most quads). Please share photos to establish additional records!
Chain Pickerel are ambush hunters that are fond of weedy areas with lots of submerged structures. They are more active in winter and early spring than many species. They spawn in early spring when water temperatures reach 50F and eggs are attached to submerged vegetation or other structures.
Maryland has three other members of the pike family (Esocidae) - Redfin Pickerel, Northern Pike, and Muskellunge. Chain Pickerel can be distinguished by its chain-like patterning and the dark bar below its eyes.
Redfin Pickerel is smaller and has brightly colored fins. Our MBP records all come from the coastal plain and MBP contributors have usually found them in shallow areas of smaller streams.
Northern Pike is much more range-restricted in Maryland and can be found in some large reservoirs like Deep Creek Lake and Loch Raven.
Muskellunge, or Muskies - the especially impressive beasts of the family - are not native to Maryland but occur in non-tidal areas of the Potomac (original source unknown) and in stocked areas, some of them surprising such as Centennial.
There are 124 records in the project database.
| GA | AL | WA | FR | CL | MO | HO | BA | BC | HA | CE | PG | AA | CV | CH | SM | KE | QA | CN | TA | DO | WI | SO | WO |
