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Chain Pickerel

Chain Pickerel

Esox niger

  • 3lakes
  • 166logged catches
  • 5 kg heaviest logged

Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) is a species of freshwater fish in the pike family (Esocidae). Chain pickerel are usually yellowish-brown, with a distinctive pattern of interlocking dark bands on the sides that resembles a chain-link fence. The species prefers to stay in cover and is most often found in patches of aquatic vegetation, as they usually strike when unsuspecting prey swim their way. Chain Pickerel can grow up to 60 cm (24 in) in length and weigh around 2 kg (4 lbs). It feeds almost exclusively on other fish.

What actually catches it ranked by real logged catches

Baits

Shiners 14 Large Minnows 6 Small Minnows 3

Lures

Casting Spoon 14 g, #2/0 5 Casting Spoon 14 g, #2/0 5 Barbless Narrow Spoon 7 g, #1/0 3 Casting Spoon 21 g, #3/0 2 Casting Spoon 21 g, #3/0 2 Casting Spoon 14 g, #2/0 2 Casting Spoon 7 g, #1/0 2 Casting Spoon 9 g, #1 2 Walker 14 g, #3/0 2 Worm 10 cm 2 Shad 7 cm 2 Casting Spoon 5 g, #2 1

Best setups by lake 3 lakes with data

Emerald Lake — 90 catches , best 4 kg

  • Shiners Hook #5/0 Float 140 m 6×
  • Casting Spoon 14 g, #2/0 Spinning Boat 3×
  • Casting Spoon 14 g, #2/0 Spinning 3×
  • Barbless Narrow Spoon 7 g, #1/0 Spinning 3×

Quanchkin Lake — 57 catches , best 5 kg

  • Shiners Hook #4/0 Feeder bottom 3×
  • Shiners Hook #4/0 Float 63 m 3×
  • Walker 14 g, #3/0 Spinning Shore 2×
  • Shiners Hook #4/0 Feeder bottom Shore 2×

Mudwater River — 19 catches , best 0.79 kg

  • Casting Spoon 14 g, #2/0 Spinning 2×
  • Casting Spoon 14 g, #2/0 Spinning 2×
  • Casting Spoon 7 g, #1/0 Spinning 2×
  • Casting Spoon 9 g, #1 Spinning 2×

How to catch

How to catch a unique Chain Pickerel? You can catch this fish either with bait or lures.

If you prefer to use natural baits, then the best way to catch Chain Pickerel would be to use Shiners on a size #4/0 hook.

If you are more into artificial lures, you should go for some Casting Spoons. The most successful lure is Red & White Casting Spoon 14 g, #2/0.

Where to find it

Quanchkin Lake Louisiana Emerald Lake New York Mudwater River Missouri

Also listed as effective documented, but not seen in the catch log

#135#139#124#131#133#132#134#2170#2171 Casting Spoon 14 g, #2/0 Casting Spoon 21 g, #3/0 Casting Spoon 21 g, #3/0

Data compiled from fp-collective and the Fishing Planet Wiki . Snapshot taken 2026-08-20. Game content and imagery © Fishing Planet LLC.