Chain Pickerel

Esox niger

Chain Pickerel inhabits lakes and large rivers with associated submerged aquatic vegetation. It is native to the Atlantic slope and parts of the central Lake Ontario watersheds. Because it is a favored sportfish, it has been introduced to many parts of the Great Lakes watersheds. It continues to expand its range to lakes at higher elevations of the eastern Adirondacks in both the Mohawk and Upper Hudson watersheds.