Pike

Chain Pickerel Fishing

Chain Pickerel
Image: Duane Raver, USFWS · Public domain

The smallest pike of Eastern waters, ambushing prey from weedy cover in ponds, lakes, and slow rivers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Pickerel bite year round, even under the ice, and hit minnows, spoons, spinners, and streamers.

Waters
3
States
3
Water
Freshwater
Methods
Fly, Spin & Bait

Prime Months: No Agency Season Found

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

What to Use for Chain Pickerel

Fishing In

Chain Pickerel

Spin / Cast

6.5 to 7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 to 10 lb line with a steel or heavy mono leader.

Rod, Reel and Line

  • RodUgly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod · 6 ft 6 in medium, 6 to 15 lbCheck Price
  • ReelPflueger Trion Spinning Reel · size 30Check Price
  • LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 8 or 10 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

  • Lure for November · 1/4 to 1/2 ozSpinnerbaitSee Options
  • Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbaitSee Options
  • Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline SpinnerSee Options

Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.

Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Where to Catch Chain Pickerel

3 of 3 waters

Chain Pickerel Fishing by State