Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
The chain pickerel is a slender, aggressive member of the pike family named for the dark chain-link pattern on its greenish flanks. Introduced and now widespread through the Saint John River system and southern New Brunswick, it is a hard-striking ambush predator — considered invasive in the province, where anglers are required to keep the ones they catch in designated waters.
Warm, weedy lakes, slow rivers and backwaters of the Saint John River drainage and southern New Brunswick; an invasive ambush predator carried at a 10-per-day limit with mandatory retention in listed waters.
Chain Pickerel Habitat & Size
Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) is associated with lake water and river water in the species record. Habitat information describes the species, not permission to fish for it. The recorded average size is approximately 20 inches; individual sizes vary.
Recorded Waters for Chain Pickerel
FishFinder links Chain Pickerel to water records in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports or current abundance. Read the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches.
Chain Pickerel Fishing Regulations & Limits
A recorded association does not establish that targeting or retaining Chain Pickerel is permitted. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority before fishing. A fishing license does not override these restrictions. FishFinder's regulation records may be incomplete; missing rules do not mean unrestricted fishing.
Related Water Guides for Chain Pickerel
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Chain Pickerel is recorded:
- Loch Lomond Reservoir — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Saint John River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Kennebecasis River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Mactaquac Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Grand Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Oromocto River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- St. Croix River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Spednic Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Magaguadavic Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Utopia — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Harvey Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Mira River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Shubenacadie Grand Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Porters Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Big Mushamush Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Mersey River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Tusket River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Rossignol — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Milo — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Aylesford Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Panuke Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Bantam Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Mansfield Hollow Reservoir — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Pachaug Pond — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- St. Johns River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Seminole — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- St. Marys River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Ogeechee River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Satilla River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Sebago Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Great Pond — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- China Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Damariscotta Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Pushaw Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Deep Creek Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Youghiogheny River Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Loch Raven Reservoir — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- St. Mary's Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Conowingo Reservoir — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Rocky Gap Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Quabbin Reservoir — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Wachusett Reservoir — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Onota Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Pontoosuc Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- South Pond (Quacumquasit Pond) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Congamond Lakes — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Chaubunagungamaug — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Cochituate — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Ipswich River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Merrimack River (Massachusetts) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Pascagoula River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Current River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Eleven Point River (Missouri) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Winnipesaukee — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Ossipee Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Spofford Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Massabesic Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Umbagog Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Connecticut River (New Hampshire) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Merrimack River (New Hampshire) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lamprey River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Hopatcong — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Greenwood Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Mountain Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Assunpink Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Parvin Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Alloway Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Splitrock Reservoir — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Wawayanda — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Union Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Delaware River (New Jersey) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Manasquan River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Champlain — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Cayuga Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Otsego Lake (New York) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Delaware River (New York) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Gaston — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Neuse River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Phelps — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Delaware River (Pennsylvania) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Nockamixon Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Frances Slocum Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Pawcatuck River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Wyoming Pond — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Beach Pond — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Worden Pond — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Tiogue Lake — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Flat River Reservoir — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Indian Lake (Rhode Island) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Lake Marion — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Little Pee Dee River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Waccamaw River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Edisto River — recorded Chain Pickerel association
- Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) — recorded Chain Pickerel association
Equipment planning for Chain Pickerel
We have not selected a species-specific affiliate setup for this guide. First establish whether targeting is permitted at your destination; no tackle recommendation should be inferred from a species record.
Equipment guidance is not permission to fish. Confirm the exact water, date, species, method and current official rules first. A closed season prohibits targeting, even with release. Recorded fish presence does not establish an open fishery.
- Check permitted methods, bait and hook restrictions before choosing tackle. Match rod, line and lure ratings to the lawful method and conditions, rather than buying by species name alone.
- Plan weather protection, drinking water and a way to call for help. For boat trips, confirm required flotation and safety equipment with the responsible boating authority.
- Read the habitat and water-specific source notes in this guide, then confirm an appropriate lawful method with the local fisheries authority before choosing equipment. Do not assume a general freshwater combo suits every species or water.
This is an editorial planning checklist, not hands-on product testing. Use equipment you already own when suitable. The gear directory contains affiliate links; any product suggestions below have their own disclosure. Retailer region, availability and Canadian shipping are not guaranteed.
Browse the gear directory · Find official fishing-rule sources · Affiliate disclosure
Chain Pickerel Regulations
Review available regulation records and confirm whether fishing for Chain Pickerel is permitted with the responsible fisheries authority:
Frequently Asked Questions
What water types are associated with Chain Pickerel?
The species record associates Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) with lake water and river water. Habitat information is not evidence of current abundance or permission to target the species.
How big does Chain Pickerel get?
The recorded average size for Chain Pickerel is approximately 20 inches. Individual sizes vary; this average is not a maximum size or a legal retention limit.
Where does FishFinder record water associations for Chain Pickerel?
FishFinder links Chain Pickerel to water records in Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports. Check the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches; a listing does not guarantee current presence or legal fishing opportunity.
Does a listing or fishing license permit fishing for Chain Pickerel?
No. A listing records an association, not permission to target or retain Chain Pickerel. License requirements and exemptions vary. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority. A license does not override restrictions, and missing FishFinder regulation records do not mean unrestricted fishing.