Esox niger

Esox niger
Chain Pickerel – Esox niger
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
EsocidaeEsox nigerLesueur1818Chain Pickerel

Esox niger

Unique Characters: No red color in fins. Chain-like pattern on the sides. Suborbital bar vertical or slanted forward. Snout longer and narrower. Distance from tip of snout to center of eye greater than the distance from the center of eye to end of opercle. Opercle completely scaled.

Similar Species:

Redfin Pickerel
Esox americanus

Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy

Esox americanus americanus
Redfin Pickerel – Esox americanus
Esox masquinongy
Muskellunge – Esox masquinongy
Photo Credit: Luke Etchison

Redfin Pickerel Esox americanus. Most fins with red or reddish color.  Suborbital bar usually slanted posteriorly.  Snout relatively short and wide. Distance from tip of snout to center of eye equal to the distance from the center of eye to end of opercle. Numerous wavy bars on the sides.

Muskellunge Esox masquinongy. Fins with dark spots; no black suborbital bar below eye. Opercle scaled only on upper half.

Gallery