CTFishTalk.com: PICKEREL in the CT. River??? - Connecticut River Reports ( CT River Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

Esox CT · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: PICKEREL in the CT. River???

Has anyone been catching chain pickerel in the river? I've caught 3, seen a friend catch one, and my brother has also caught a few. I assume they randomly find there way into the river from a tributary. They wouldn't stock pickerel as they do pike, would they? I just hope they don't thrive. Hopefully they become food, and not steal food from other predatory species. The ones I have seen aren't very big, maybe 12" or less. AND YES THEY ARE PICKEREL, NOT PIKE. THEY HAVE THE BLACK MARK UNDER THE EYE, ETC.

Tributaries and Spots on CT. River where pickerel are present (as far as I know)

Pattaconk Brook
Itchy River
Hamburg Cove
A marina in Chester that will remain nameless

JohnS · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 41

yup pickeral are in the river....
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BoSox46GSR · Joined: 29 Mar 2009 Posts: 388 Location: Chester

I just find it odd that all the years I"ve been fishing the river and this is the first year that I've caught pickerel. That "Marina that shall remain nameless" is the first time I've ever seen them in abundance in the river. Hamburg has some here and there.

Johnny Skeeter · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 700 Location: Vernon Ct

Oh no you are keeping the pickeral spot a secret??? Darnit!!!!!! Rolling Eyes

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Esox CT · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:30 pm Post subject:

No, actually this marina is infamous for a different species. There's 3 marinas in Chester, take your pick... Cool

Hey BoSox, how come no one else can spell pickerel right??

slimecoat · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 1576 Location: Newington, CT.

I was told that most of the pickeral and pike have already spawned. They spawn in much colder water than Bass do. They could have been in a funk from all the expelled energy. You should have offered them a cigarette and a towel to clean up the mess. Laughing

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LargeFry · Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 39 Location: CT River

Those slime darts definately thrive in the river. I've seen many in the 24"+ class. Even though if "the marina that shall remain nameless" is the one I think it is, I 've hooked up with everything but a pickeral in it.

Just4fun · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 1389 Location: Saybrook

I think that pickeral are native to just about any waters in CT,..rivers included! If you haven't caught any previously, it's probably just because the pike were keeping them away!! Razz

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BoSox46GSR · Joined: 29 Mar 2009 Posts: 388 Location: Chester

Esox CT · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject:

BoSox46GSR · Joined: 29 Mar 2009 Posts: 388 Location: Chester

Unfortunately it's illegal to use them as bait as well as most other gamefish, if you really want to call pickerel a game fish.

Esox CT · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:04 pm Post subject:

Ok, then I'll pretend its sushi if DEP rolls up. LOL

Johnny Skeeter · Joined: 06 May 2007 Posts: 700 Location: Vernon Ct

FYI,No such thing as a private marina on the river,nobody can own the water,only the land that surrounds it....besides i most liley have fished it anyways with tralli...
_________________
I love rippin on the river!
"How much can ya bench?"

BoSox46GSR · Joined: 29 Mar 2009 Posts: 388 Location: Chester

Well seeing as how we do not have boats, then to us it is private because we are fishing from land.

cobalt · Joined: 09 Aug 2008 Posts: 196 Location: central ct

Caught a monster slimey in chapmans last week. 26+ inches