Pike and pickerel are freshwater fish found in the Holarctic region, including North America, Russia and parts of Europe. Both are species found in the Esox genus of the Esocidae family. Because of this, pike and pickerel have many similarities, although the distinction in species provides differences that we’ll highlight in this article. Although both fish are of the same genus, pike and pickerel grow, eat, and behave different. They also have distinct appearances and sub-species, so you can tell them apart.
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What is Pike?
Pike is used generally to refer to fish in the Esox genus. However, for the sake of accuracy, pike fishes form three unique species within the genus. These are Esox Lucius (Northern pike), Esox flaviae (Southern pike), and Esox reichertii (Amur pike). The Northern pike is the most common of the three species. It refers to the olive-green pike described in 1758 by Linnaeus and resides in the Holarctic region. The northern pike is a freshwater fish with pale spots and grows to about 120 cm.
The southern pike is quite similar to its northern cousins, and no distinction existed until 2011. It resides in the fresh waters south of Europe. The main difference between the northern and southern pikes is the number of scales along the lateral line. Essentially, the southern pike has fewer scales. Lastly, the Amur pike is native to the Amur River in East Asia, hence the name. They are found nowhere else but were introduced in the USA in 1968. Amur pike has a silvery body with tiny black spots.
What is Pickerel?
Pickerel isn’t as popular as pike but exists in various places and refers to breeds occupying two species in the Esox genus; Esox americanus (American Pickerel) and Esox niger (Chain Pickerel). The American pickerel is the most popular species of pickerel and has two subspecies; americanus (redfin pickerel) and vermiculatus (grass pickerel). American pickerel are native to North America and grow to about 40 cm. They prefer slow-moving freshwaters rich in smaller fish species and aquatic vegetation. On the other hand, chain pickerel are much larger and can grow to 53 cm and average 3 pounds.
Chain pickerel eat from a wide range of aquatic invertebrates, smaller fish species and small amphibians. They get the name from their characteristic chain-like colour patterns on the greener side of the fish. At a glance, pickerel look more like smaller pike and have many similarities in body shape and colouration. However, adult fish of both species characterize differences. Pike species are generally bigger and found in more places than pickerel, which are relatively small and low-profile species in the Esox genus. It is also worth noting that pickerel occupy two species, while pike occupies three.
Pike Vs. Pickerel Main Differences
Pike and pickerel both have a slender bodies with no spine and nearly similar body markings. However, they have differences worth the distinction in species. Noteworthy differences in physical attributes of a pike and pickerel include the following:
- Pike is Bigger – Size is the first distinction you’ll notice in any pike vs pickerel comparison. Pike can grow to 50 inches tall and 30 pounds heavy, which is far bigger than the pickerel. Most pickerel species rarely grow to 12 inches and average at 2.25 to 3 pounds. As such, most first-time anglers may confuse pickerel for smaller pike. If your catch is larger than 12 inches, you can quickly rule out the chances of it being a pickerel. If it is smaller, you’ll need the next distinctions.
- Pickerel are Darker with Fully Scaled Cheeks – Both pike and pickerel are considerably darker than musky. However, pickerel have a very dark colouration on their back and sides. Pike is dark but not as much as pickerel. They have jelly bean patterns a greenish olive toned colouration. Pickerel also have fully scaled cheeks and gills and a dark line (suborbital teardrop) beneath the eye. On the other hand, pike have fully scaled cheeks with partially scaled gills. They also feature four to five pores on the hack.
- Pike Have Colourful Rounded Fins – The fin of pike species are rounded with a green margin and amber hues. This is one of the physical distinctions you can use to tell pike from pickerel, musky and other species of the Esox genus. Pickerel and most other species in the genus have pointed fins with varying colourations. However, both species have forked fins.
Geographical Distribution
Geography is another viable distinction factor when used together with other disparities between pike and pickerel. Essentially, pike often refers to the Northern Pike, which is native to the Holarctic region, spanning North America, Russia, and Europe. Pickerel often refers to the chain pickerel, another freshwater and brackish water fish found in the northern hemisphere. However, pike are widely distributed than pickerel and generally more abundant. The northern pike is found in many freshwater lakes, rivers and creeks throughout the Holarctic region.
On the other hand, chain pickerel are mostly found along the North American east coast from southern Canada to Florida and Texas. Pickerel also resides on the Atlantic coast, all the way from Maine to Nova Scotia, and has been found in the brackish waters of the Mississippi Valley. In simple terms, pike occupy all waters where pickerel live but also inhabit freshwater lacks and streams where pickerel aren’t found. Also, some pickerel species are native to America, while pike can be found as far as Europe.
Feeding Habits
Aside from physical differences, pike and pickerel characterize unique feeding patterns and habits you can use to tell them apart. Both species love shady areas with lots of aquatic vegetation, which they can feed on during the summer days. However, pike and pickerel often prefer meaty food. Pike will eat anything that fits within its mouth and tend to ambush smaller fish species. As such, minnows are excellent when fishing for pike. They also resort to cannibalism, devouring smaller pike, especially when prey is scarce. Pike are known to feed in packs and commonly known as fish wolfs. They are ambush predators and tend to be aggressive than other species in the Esox genus.
Conversely, pickerel are low profile. They’ll still put a fight when caught and manifest a degree of aggression. However, most pickerels are calm and prefer nibbling at their food as opposed to ambush at top speed. That said, pickerel has a taste for smaller fish and also fancies small crustaceans and aquatic invertebrates. Like most fish, pike and pickerel will attack living things significantly smaller than them. Pike are more notorious for larger meals and have often been found choking on other smaller pike. Pike will also eat small frogs, crabs, shrimp, and planktons. Adult fish of both species won’t shy away from live baits provided it is small enough to eat.
Summary
Pike and pickerel have more similarities than differences. Apart from the physical variations, it is hard to tell the two apart. You are more likely to encounter pike, as they are favoured in firms and grow to large sizes. However, wild pike share some waters with pickerel and other members in their genus and family. The best way to distinguish them is through combining physical attributes and geographical location, as pike are relatively bigger, while pickerel have a darker colouration.
Read more about Pike Vs. Bass
Sources
- Pike and Pickerel (Esocidae)
- Chain pickerel
- The difference between Northern pike and Pickerel
- Northern pike
- Know the Difference Between Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel
- HOW TO TELL MUSKELLUNGE, NORTHERN PIKE & PICKEREL APART
- Differences Between a Pike and a Pickerel
- Differences Between a Pike and a Pickerel