Redfin Pickerel - Esox americanus

Redfin Pickerel small members of the pike family. Unlike the more commonly known northern pike, the Redfin Pickerel isn't restricted to the far north and cold waters. Redfin Pickerel have a range that extends all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico where they are occasionally caught by fisherman but due to their small size they are unknown to most southern anglers.

All though the Redfin Pickerel can at times reach weights in excess of 1 pound throughout the vast majority of its range in the south they are restricted to sizes of 4 to 8 inches.

They make good aquarium pets if you can provide them with small minnow for food. Anything smaller than your Redfin Pickerel will be eaten, including smaller pickerel.

Although the redfin pickerel is an agressive fish it will be easily killed by larger fish that show agressive behaviour towards it. Watching them feed is very entertaining as the strikes or often lighting fast often after the fish coils its body for the strike.

Care must be taken in handling these fish. In warmer temperatures especially they are quite vulnerable to developing ick if to much of their protective slime gets removed.