Have you ever wondered about how the Perch and Pickerel are similar? What makes them different? This article will help you have a clear understanding of the two.

A little about Perch and Pickerel

Perch and Pickerel are prominent sportfish throughout North America and Canada. The Yellow Perch is the best panfish, while Pickerel is a challenging gamefish. This guide will compare the two based on their habitat, dietary habits, visual appearance, species types, taste, texture, and nutritional values.

What is a Perch?

Perch belongs to the Perca genus. They are members of the Percid family. Perca flavescens, or the Yellow Perch, lives in the Northern USA and Eastern Canada.

The Perch is an aggressive freshwater predator. In spring, the female Perch lays strands of eggs in shallow waters. The egg ropes hang from underwater branches and vegetation. A Perch can grow up to the weight of 3 kg or 7 lbs.

What is a Pickerel?

Pickerel is a freshwater species of the Pike family. Esox niger, otherwise known as Chain Pickerel, is native to Northern America.

The Pickerel is a sight-based opportunistic predator. They spawn during the early spring season. The female fish lays almost 50,000 adhesive eggs in a ribbon-like formation connected to aquatic vegetation. A fully grown Pickerel can weigh up to 3 kg or 7 lbs.

The similarities and differences between Perch & Pickerel

What are the similarities between Perch & Pickerel?

Pickerel and Perch are both freshwater fishes
They actively hunt and feed on other fishes
Perch and Pickerel’s flesh has a flaky, white texture
They have a sweet, savory flavor
Both are viable sources of protein, calories, and sodium

What are the differences between Perch vs. Pickerel?

Perch and Pickerel has a different shape, skin, fins, and tails
They are dissimilar based on their types
Perch carries more kinds of minerals than the Pickeral

Similarities between Perch and Pickerel in depth

Similarities in habitat

Freshwater lakes, ponds, and streams are home to the Perch and Pickerel. They also occupy the Great Lakes of the US. Both of them prefer a similar microhabitat among the aquatic weeds.

In a shared ecosystem, they spawn during spring. Perch and Pickerel both have similar egg-laying techniques.

Similarities in dietary habits

Perch is carnivorous and hunts actively. Pickerel too preys upon smaller fishes. Both are most active during the day, as they prefer to rely on their sight to hunt. However, the Pickerel is opportunistic and often ambushes its prey from covers.

Similarities in texture

Both Perch and Pickerel have lean white flesh. There is hardly any fat in them. Pickerel meat has a firm texture before cooking. After cooking, they showcase a flaky texture. Perch flesh has a soft texture in its raw state. It becomes flaky like Pickerel when cooked.

Taste similarities

Pickerel and Perch boasts a sweet, savory taste. The Yellow Perch is known as the king of panfish due to its incredible flavor. Chain Pickerel is similarly sweet tasting.

The Pickerel is a bony fish. Therefore, it is pretty challenging to de-bone Chain Pickerel. However, if prepared correctly, they provide a refreshing, clean taste.

Because of the difficulty in preparing Pickerel, it is better in grind-fish recipes. In addition, fish cakes and fish chowder are excellent tasting food options for the Pickerel.

Similarities in nutritional value

Both Pickerel and Perch are rich in protein. For example, in a 100g serving of Perch, there is 19.4g of protein. In a similar serving of Pickerel, there is 19.1g of protein.

The Pickerel has 90.9 calories per serving. Perch almost mirror the count as it provides 90.1 calories per serving. They also have an identical amount of sodium which is 3% per serving.

Differences between Perch and Pickerel expanded

Visual differences

Pickerels are usually a little bit smaller than the Perch. Therefore, the Chain Pickerel is known as one of the smallest gamefish. However, Pickerel is more challenging to catch than the Perch.

While Pickerel has a tube-torpedo shape, the Perch has a more stocky torpedo appearance. In addition, yellow Perch has pale yellow, orange skin with vertical tiger-like stripes on the sides. On the other hand, Pickerel sports a greenish-yellow skin with dark spots in a chain-like pattern.

Perch has more spiny fins and tails than the Pickerel. The dorsal fin of a Yellow Perch is easily noticeable due to its spiny outlook. In contrast, Pickerel has soft-rayed fins and tails.

Type differences

Pickerel and Perch are common names for several fish species. Among the Perch, the White, Silver, and Yellow Perch stand out. However, the Chain Pickerel remains the most popular in the Pickrel family after Walleye was proven to be a not-Pickerel! These types of fishes bring forth a lot of differences.

Silver Perch or the Sand Perch is one of the smaller members counted among the Perch. Fact is, they are more related to the Drum species. Despite being called Silver Perch, they are similar to the Weakfish and Redfish. They swim in shallower waters. Fishermen usually cut them up and use them as baits for bigger sportfish.

White Perch is known for its ability to adapt. They occupy saltwater bays as well as freshwaters of the Great Lakes. These fish adapt and migrate to fresh water when it is spawning season. They can also live in tidal streams and rivers. A grown White Perch may weigh about 1 pound or 0.5 kg.

Yellow Perch is famous throughout the United States as the ultimate panfish. In addition, they are probably one of the only genuine members of the Perch family. They have a visually pleasant outlook with a golden orange skin tone. Once matured, a Yellow Perch can weigh around a pound or half a kg.

Chain Pickerels are one of the best sportfish to test angling skills. This small gamefish is littered with bones but makes great eating if well prepared. The Chain Pickerel loves to hide under aquatic, man-made covers. They are common throughout Northern America and Canada. Pickerels have dark spots on their skin that create a chain shape. This shape is what gives them their name. A grown Pickerel usually weighs around 1 pound, 0.5 kg.

Differences in nutritional value

In a 100g serving of Pickerel, the amount of iron is 17%. On the other hand, in a similar serving, Perch has 12% iron.

Perch contains more kinds of minerals and vitamins than the Pickerel. However, Pickerel has a greater concentration of the few vitamins, minerals it carries.

Tips for fishing

Pickerel fishing

Use crankbaits, chatter baits, and rattletraps as tackles. Pickrel is a reactive hunter, and it will move with agility.
Flashy lures like the Rooster Tail imitates small fishes, which are the main target of the Pickerel.
Topwater lures perform well as Pickrel gets easily irritated.
When using topwater lures, creating a lot of noise, dispersion of water would up the odds.

Perch fishing

Perch prefers to start feeding on the bottom. So fishing from there is a good idea.
Lake connected to a system of rivers is the ideal place for Perch fishing.
Perch often hunts in clearwater with high visibility. Fishing in such water would aid in landing more hits.
Perch loves to feed on a minnow. Using a light hook and minnow is an excellent way to draw its attention.
Small strips, chunks of fish flesh works well as Perch bait.

Bottom line

There are quite a few species of fishes who share the name of Perch, Pickerel. The Yellow Perch and the Chain Pickerel are the famous ones among them. The angler seeking a challenge would love to hook the Chain Pickerel. On the other hand, the chef would like to have them both on their list of ingredients. As both are tasty and nutritious, but Pickerel is hard to catch and prepare, the Yellow Perch is the better food option.

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