Chain Pickerel

This is a Chain Pickeral. (also related to the Pike and Musky family)

A chain pickerel can grow up to 30 inches in length. They easily hide in weedy habitats. With it's dark greenish yellow back and yellowish green along it's sides with a pattern of dark chain looking patterns and a white belly make them easily camoflauged in the weedy surroundings. Their fins are unmarked and pale in color.
They have a long snout like their relatives the Pike and Musky.

They prefer weed beds, sunken stumps, and fallen logs in natural lakes, also swampy ponds in man made waters. They can also be found in sluggish parts of clear streams.

They are shallow water fish, but can also thrive in deeper lakes.

They spawn in early spring and early fall, depositing 6,000 to 8,000 eggs.

They eat fish, crayfish, insects, frogs and other animals. They feed during the day especially right at dawn and right before dusk. They are active during the winter months.