Chain Pickerel Fishing
The best out of 21 Chain Pickerel Fishing deals - enter destination and dates to check availability
Nearest Chain Pickerel fishing charters
Nearest Chain Pickerel fishing charters
- Trips fromUS $509
- Instant ConfirmationTrips fromUS $600
Lucky Buck Fishing Charters – Cazenovia
Cazenovia, New YorkTrips fromUS $590- Trips fromUS $800
- Angler's Choice
Locked With Lorensen – Ice Fishing
South Bay, New YorkInstant ConfirmationTrips fromUS $450 - Instant ConfirmationTrips fromUS $650
- Instant ConfirmationTrips fromUS $750
Tuckahoe River Scenic Cruise
Corbin City, New JerseyInstant ConfirmationTrips fromUS $300- Instant ConfirmationTrips fromUS $400
- Instant ConfirmationTrips fromUS $275
Featured Chain Pickerel fishing charters
- Full Day Trip – Inshore (Shared)
+8Shared trips are great for meeting other anglers and having an awesome day on the water. You will target a range of species, such as Bluefish, Porgy, Seabass, Weakfish, Striper, Flounder, and more. Everything is provided on this trip, you just need to bring along water and snacks. WE REQUIRE 6 PEOPLE TO USE THE 28' BOAT ON OPEN BOAT TRIPS. IF WE HAVE LEESS THAN 6 YOU WILL FISH ON OUR SMALLER VESSELS. IF WE DO HAVE 6 PEOPLE THERE WILL BE A MATE ON BOARD THAT GETS A 20% GRATUITY THATS NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE.Instant ConfirmationPer personUS $170 - Half Day Trip
+5Troll the back bays of Lake Ontario's Eastern Basin for a variety of warm water fish, or troll the famous 'trench' in Henderson Harbor for staging King Salmon and Trout! In previous seasons, this has been one of the hottest times of the year for Trophy Lake Ontario Walleye throughout the Eastern Basin! Salmon are in their 'Staging' period and provide an exciting fight as they prepare to make their way into the tributaries to spawn.Price for up to 4 peopleUS $650 - Sunset Peacock Charter (2 1/2 Hour)Spend a beautiful sunset fishing on Lake Clarke targeting 3 species of Bass – Peacock, Largemouth, and Sunshine. Other species that might take the bait are Clown Knifefish, Chain Pickerel, Gar, and more. Everything you need to successfully fish is included, from the rods and reels to the live bait. Even chips and drinks are provided. Very popular! * This is a 2 1/2 hour charterInstant ConfirmationPrice for up to 3 peopleUS $285
- 6 Hour Trip – Fishing with Lodging+4Six hours of fishing with 1 night lodging (the night before).. You will be staying a our cottage at Rays Bay, Henderson, NY which is only 5 minutes from the boat. Included are all linens for 5 beds, refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, towels, stove and outside grill. You can prepare your meal or just dine out at nearby restaurants. You will be fishing for Trout, Salmon, Walleye, Northern Pike, Pickerel or Bass. You will need a NYS fishing license. Direction to cottage will be given after bookings.Price for up to 4 peopleUS $850
- 3/4 Day Trip – Walleye & Pickerel
+4We Fish deep clear cold water Georgia Mountain Lakes. Blueridge Lake, Seed Lake, Lake Burton, Lake Rabun and Lake Lanier for Walleye, Perch and Pickerel. We use live bait and lures while trolling slowly. These fish have very sharp teeth so please be extra careful handling these fish. Make sure to dress for the weather and purchase a fishing license.Price for up to 2 peopleUS $600 - Angler's Choice
Locked With Lorensen – Ice Fishing
South Bay, New York10 Hour Trip – Ice Fishing (AM)
+5This trip is a great experinece for anyone that wants to explore what the hard water is all about. There's no experience necessary and both young kids and adults can have a lot of fun. We do a combination of jigging and hand lines to make sure we have the best chance of success. Prior to going on the trip we should discuss what type of fish you want to target and that will help us decide which lake we want to fish on. We fish a variety of lakes all the way from Oneida lake to up north around Theresa NY.Price for up to 2 peopleUS $700 - Half Day Trip (PM)
The 3 o'clock to 7 o'clock run Afternoon/evening, Second bite of the day. Excellent fly fishing opportunities, and sight casting. Generally, calmer waters with sunset opportunities. Targeting smallmouth bass and chain pickerel. Random surface, white perch can surprise you as well.Price for up to 3 peopleUS $250 Tuckahoe River Scenic Cruise
Corbin City, New JerseyHalf Day Trip
+1You make the call, move up the river for Perch/Pickerel/Catfish or down the river where Perch is still the main catch and blue claws are plentiful. Striper can be found in many areas of the river, especially in the spring. We also offer sunset and nature cruises if fishing is not your thing!Price for up to 6 peopleUS $300Northern Approach – Guided Ice Fishing
Orland, MaineFull Day Trip - 8:00 AM+6Explore the wintwr months in Maine chasing fish under the ice ! Experience the excitement of seeing the flag pop up on the ice fishing trap indicating 'FISH ON' and running out to retrive it !. You and your group will be supplied with all fishing gear to target fish, sit inside a heated pop up ice tent and jig thru the ice while waiting for flags ! You and your group will have memories to share for years .Price for up to 1 personUS $300- Half Day Perch/Bluegull St Lawrence
+2This five-hour trip is all about getting on the water and enjoying the constant action the St. Lawrence has to offer. We'll target yellow perch and bluegill using a mix of live worms, grubs, and hair jigs—perfect for keeping the rods bent and everyone smiling. The river is incredibly clear, so whether we're spotting fish on the LiveScope screen or seeing them roam right under the boat, it's a great visual experience. I provide all the gear; you just bring the energy. Hope to see you out there!Instant ConfirmationPrice for up to 1 personUS $400
What anglers say about Chain Pickerel fishing
- 5.0/5(6 hour trip 1-2 person)
Why Did I Wait So Long ??
Great Day! Was too windy at the designated site and Captain Bucks experience had us meet at a different location. Good Choice. Hadn't gone fishing for Walley in decades, I caught fish. I also learned quite a bit, new techniques, lures, and equipment. It was a great day and I will certainly be booking another event with Captain Buck. Looking forward to ice fishing, same Captain, same location, and same expected great day. I seriously recommend this, it was well worth it.
- 5.0/5(Full Day Trip)
May fishing trip
Wade was an awesome guide that provided a great day of fishing on Baskahegan Lake. He has a top notch boat and modern equipment with knowledge of the lake from a lifetime of experience. The weather was tough with a lot of wind but Wade was able to put us on the fish despite the challenging conditions. It was a great day overall landing over 25 fish.
Related species
About Chain Pickerel fishing
Illustration taken from the IGFA
A sleek and aggressive freshwater predator, the Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) is the smallest member of the Pike family (Esocidae), which also includes the Northern Pike and Muskellunge. Distinguished by its chain-like markings and lean, torpedo-shaped body, the Chain Pickerel is a favorite among light-tackle anglers looking for fast-paced, explosive action.
Despite their modest size compared to their cousins, these fish deliver a fierce fight, and strike with surprising ferocity. They're particularly popular in weedy lakes, rivers, and swamps where ambush cover is abundant. Their streamlined build and sharp teeth make them effective ambush predators capable of darting from cover to snatch unsuspecting prey.
How big?
Most Chain Pickerel range from 14–24 inches in length and weigh between 1 and 3 pounds. Anything bigger is a trophy specimen, with regular catches of fish weighting 6.5 pounds. However, the largest fish ever caught was an impressive monster from Georgia, tipping the scales at almost 9.5 pounds!
Distribution
Chain Pickerel are native to the eastern US and parts of southeastern Canada. Their range extends from Florida and the Gulf Coast northward to the Great Lakes region and into southern Quebec and Ontario. They thrive in slow-moving or still waters with dense vegetation, such as ponds, marshes, backwaters, and weedy shorelines of lakes and rivers.
In addition to their native range, they've been introduced to other areas in the US for sportfishing purposes, though less widely than their relatives, Northern Pike.
How to Catch
These fish are ambush hunters and respond aggressively to flashy lures and quick retrieves. Anglers commonly use spinnerbaits, spoons, soft plastics, and topwater plugs to trigger strikes, especially when casting around submerged weeds or fallen timber, but live bait such as minnows can also be highly effective, particularly under a float or when slow-trolled.
Light to medium spinning gear is ideal, but a steel or heavy fluorocarbon leader is essential – Pickerel are equipped with sharp teeth capable of slicing through monofilament with ease. They feed actively throughout the year and can be caught even through the ice in winter in northern parts of their range.
Good to eat?
They're not typically targeted for the table to the same extent as Panfish or Bass, but Chain Pickerel are edible, with white, mildly flavored flesh. However, they're pretty bony, which can make preparation challenging. Many anglers prefer to release them, though those who take the time to clean them properly often enjoy them fried or baked.
Techniques
Illustration taken from the IGFA
A sleek and aggressive freshwater predator, the Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) is the smallest member of the Pike family (Esocidae), which also includes the Northern Pike and Muskellunge. Distinguished by its chain-like markings and lean, torpedo-shaped body, the Chain Pickerel is a favorite among light-tackle anglers looking for fast-paced, explosive action.
Despite their modest size compared to their cousins, these fish deliver a fierce fight, and strike with surprising ferocity. They're particularly popular in weedy lakes, rivers, and swamps where ambush cover is abundant. Their streamlined build and sharp teeth make them effective ambush predators capable of darting from cover to snatch unsuspecting prey.
How big?
Most Chain Pickerel range from 14–24 inches in length and weigh between 1 and 3 pounds. Anything bigger is a trophy specimen, with regular catches of fish weighting 6.5 pounds. However, the largest fish ever caught was an impressive monster from Georgia, tipping the scales at almost 9.5 pounds!
Distribution
Chain Pickerel are native to the eastern US and parts of southeastern Canada. Their range extends from Florida and the Gulf Coast northward to the Great Lakes region and into southern Quebec and Ontario. They thrive in slow-moving or still waters with dense vegetation, such as ponds, marshes, backwaters, and weedy shorelines of lakes and rivers.
In addition to their native range, they've been introduced to other areas in the US for sportfishing purposes, though less widely than their relatives, Northern Pike.
How to Catch
These fish are ambush hunters and respond aggressively to flashy lures and quick retrieves. Anglers commonly use spinnerbaits, spoons, soft plastics, and topwater plugs to trigger strikes, especially when casting around submerged weeds or fallen timber, but live bait such as minnows can also be highly effective, particularly under a float or when slow-trolled.
Light to medium spinning gear is ideal, but a steel or heavy fluorocarbon leader is essential – Pickerel are equipped with sharp teeth capable of slicing through monofilament with ease. They feed actively throughout the year and can be caught even through the ice in winter in northern parts of their range.
Good to eat?
They're not typically targeted for the table to the same extent as Panfish or Bass, but Chain Pickerel are edible, with white, mildly flavored flesh. However, they're pretty bony, which can make preparation challenging. Many anglers prefer to release them, though those who take the time to clean them properly often enjoy them fried or baked.