Esox americanus

[drewish]

Just thought I would share a pic of my redfin pickerel.

33984

[vanimate]

Nice!
Did you catch him yourself?

[big E]

I like it! You guys are really sparking my interest in US native fish!

[drewish]

Yeah, we found a spot to collect them. One day my friend and I must have collected and released about 30 of them varying in sizes with the largest going about 6-7 inches.

[rallysman]

Sweet! thats a nice looking fish

[Honda12]

Very cool, I have been wanting one for a while now.

[Zorro]

Very nice fish i can get pickerel all day i just wish they where red fin

[davo]

they look really good. and a bit mean too :naughty:

[jsfunk78]

nice fish~

[Bassman89]

nice fish...thatd be perfect for my new 135...im gettin muskie instead though..almost just as good

[lil_blue]

muskie will outgrow your tank so fast...

id get a chain pickerel if i were you, itll still get too big IMO but itll be able to stay longer

[fisher12889]

muskie will outgrow your tank so fast...

id get a chain pickerel if i were you, itll still get too big IMO but itll be able to stay longer
Me and Bassman are ordering some (tiger muskies) together, and when they outgrow the tanks we both have ponds in our backyards!

[guppy]

Thats planning ahead

[fisher12889]

Thats planning ahead
lol thats the best way to do it!

[softturtle]

lol thats the best way to do it!
The only way

[Muillinaust]

Yeah, we found a spot to collect them. One day my friend and I must have collected and released about 30 of them varying in sizes with the largest going about 6-7 inches.

I wish there were good spots in NC, but most of the lakes are pretty much sunfish/bass only. Maybe you could give me some info for collection purposes.

[drewish]

I wish there were good spots in NC, but most of the lakes are pretty much sunfish/bass only. Maybe you could give me some info for collection purposes.

Look for a backwater swamp or slow moving waters off of a river. One location we find them in is off of a small river that has a slow moving backwater swamp. The water is nasty and not too fun to collect in, but we just put on a chest waders and swipe dipnets around everywhere. We also get quite a few with a seine net. The other location was a swampy area off of a small lake. We saw them while going through lily pads but were unable to collect them from the boat.

Maybe your DNR or DGIF lists areas where they can be found? If so, look for those areas I mentioned.

[teleost]

Good looking pickerel Drewish. It's good to see someone else is willing to go knee high in stinky swamp ooze to get some fish! I hope you remembered to clean those waders off. The stink will kill you in a next time you go out.

If I can say just one thing about finding your own fish in the the wild: Go places you would never cast a line and you'll find fish you've never seen.

[sour_girl]

Looks good!! :thumbsup:

[fishyz]

That's one nice fish. I can't wait until I get mine.

[drewish]

They are really cool beautiful looking fish, but just prepared to have a fish that just sits there all day. They pretty much only move to eat.

[Chad55]

You want to send me a couple? I need something I can put in with my bowfin. I was thinkin about a tiger muskie but they just get way too big.

Chad

[drewish]

You want to send me a couple? I need something I can put in with my bowfin. I was thinkin about a tiger muskie but they just get way too big.

Chad

Where are you located? I may be able to in the fall when I have more room and I feel more comfortable shipping fish. I'll keep you in mind when I get out there again.

[Chad55]

I am in south east michigan. Right by lake erie.

Chad

[Muillinaust]

Look for a backwater swamp or slow moving waters off of a river. One location we find them in is off of a small river that has a slow moving backwater swamp. The water is nasty and not too fun to collect in, but we just put on a chest waders and swipe dipnets around everywhere. We also get quite a few with a seine net. The other location was a swampy area off of a small lake. We saw them while going through lily pads but were unable to collect them from the boat.

Maybe your DNR or DGIF lists areas where they can be found? If so, look for those areas I mentioned.

The problem is that NC doesn't allow catching game fish with anything except a pole, a bow or by hand. I don't think that would stop me but it's just one more thing to stand in my way.

[drewish]

The problem is that NC doesn't allow catching game fish with anything except a pole, a bow or by hand. I don't think that would stop me but it's just one more thing to stand in my way.

Hrmm... yeah I just looked it up and redfin pickerel are considered game fish in NC. In VA, only chain pickerel are considered game fish. There are however no restrictions on size and no creel limit in NC.

From quick google search, I found you can go to "Gallberry Swamp" or "Lumber River" and find redfin pickerel. If you are near either or know some place just like them, take a bucket of small minnows and a really small hook and try to find the places I mentioned. From what I've read, they will steal your minnow off often so make sure you have plenty.

Other than that, you can drive to VA or SC and collect in either place with valid license for redfin pickerel. Or you can purchase one from an online vendor or have some one send you one. I am currently not setup to be able collect a bunch to distribute but may do so in the near future. If you don't have one by then, I will hit you up and see if you are still interested.

[airben23]

do they have teeth?

[skimmy518]

chik-A-PAh!

[fatherof5]

Yeah they got teeth, fun to watch also

[zdoo2]

when they outgrow your tank, eat em

[teleost]

when they outgrow your tank, eat em

original! Yeah for you:banhim: