The Grass Pickerel

Identification

The body is long and cylindrical, with a forked tail and thin, wavy dark bars on the sides. A dark mark extends below the eye. Young fish can be confused with juvenile pike relatives because their sizes overlap and markings are less distinctive.

Vegetated Water

Wetlands, ponds, slow streams and shallow lake bays provide habitat. Clear water and abundant aquatic plants support the sight-hunting predator. The range extends from the central United States into southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec, with southern records toward the Gulf states.

Feeding and Spawning

Young fish commonly take insects, while adults target other fishes by stalking or ambush. Spring spawning is reported in Ontario, with an additional later spawning period possible. The agency’s usual adult length is a regional typical value, not a confirmed maximum for the subspecies.

All Lakes With Grass Pickerel

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Grass Pickerel records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.

Showing 1–24 of 84 lakes · Page 1 of 4

• Algonquin Lake Barry, MI
• Baptist Lake Newaygo, MI
• Baw Beese Lake Hillsdale, MI
• Beadle Lake Calhoun, MI
• Bear Lake Hillsdale, MI
• Berry Lake Hillsdale, MI
• Bird Lake Hillsdale, MI
• Boot Lake Hillsdale, MI
• Brandenburg Lake Lake, IL
• Carpenter Lake Hillsdale, MI
• Cassidy Lake Washtenaw, MI
• Chippewa Lake Mecosta, MI
• Clear Lake Jackson, MI
• Cobb Lake Hillsdale, MI
• Corey Lake St. Joseph, MI
• Craig Lake Branch, MI
• Crispell Lake Jackson, MI
• Crystal Lake Hillsdale, MI
• Deer Lake Kent, MI
• Devils Lake Lenawee, MI
• Donnell Lake Cass, MI
• Dragon Lake Branch, MI
• Dunns Lake Lake, IL
• Eagle Lake Cass, MI