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Fishing Species

Chain Pickerel Fish Species Information

Chain Pickerel

Label Details
Scientific Fish Name: Esox reticulatus
Other Fish Name: federation pike, federation pickerel
Regions Fished: eastern coast of North America from southern Canada to Florida, and west to Texas.
World Record:
Common Tackle: Anglers have success with live minnows, spinnerbaits, spoons, plugs, and other lures, usually with some kind of feather or bucktail material.
Additional Information: Like all pike, the chain is edible, but for the table the angler must clean them properly to remove the many small bones. First, clean them as any other fish, then carefully remove the backbone. Fillet the meat in three- to four-inch segments. Carefully cut small incisions on the meat up and across. Deep-fry the fillets until brown. This should eliminate all bones.