Chain pickerel in Florida
chain pickerel rules, records and best waters.
- 8 lbrecord
- 1lakes
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Chain pickerel in Florida waters
Chain pickerel (Esox niger) is managed by FWC as a freshwater species. FWC’s Big Catch program recognizes chain pickerel from 22 inches or 3 lbs. The Florida record chain pickerel weighed 8 pounds (Lake Talquin, 1971).
FWC lists chain pickerel in 1 lake with fishing pages on this site.
The chain pickerel profile
Habitat of chain pickerel
“Found statewide, normally in vegetated lakes, swamps and backwaters of small to large rivers.”
What chain pickerel eat
“Spawning occurs in late winter to spring among heavy aquatic weed growth or flooded grasses, in water from a few inches deep to several feet deep.”
“Large number of adhesive eggs are scattered over vegetation.”
Quoted from the FWC species profile.
Florida chain pickerel limits
| Where | Bag | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | see rule | none | Open year round |
Nongame fish statewide (no statewide bag). Special limit of 15 pickerel (chain, grass and redfin) on Lake Seminole and St. Marys River.
FWC freshwater regulations, checked October 2026. All Florida limits.
Florida record chain pickerel
| Category | Weight (lb) | Where | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater | 8 | Lake Talquin | 1971 |
| Freshwater | 6.96 | Lake Talquin | 2004 |
| Freshwater | 1.06 | New River | 1993 |
FWC freshwater state records and Catch a Florida Memory saltwater records. Angler names left out.
Florida lakes for chain pickerel
- Ocheesee PondJackson County, 2,225 acres
Lakes where the FWC site page names chain pickerel.
Other Florida freshwater fish
Quick answers on chain pickerel
What is the daily limit for chain pickerel in Florida?
see rule (Statewide), size: none.
Who holds the Florida chain pickerel record?
8 pounds, caught in 1971.
Where should I fish for chain pickerel?
FWC lists chain pickerel at 1 lake, such as Ocheesee Pond.
Where does FWC stock chain pickerel?
No recent FWC stocking of chain pickerel is listed.
How big must a chain pickerel be for a Big Catch?
22 inches or 3 lbs.
What is the scientific name of chain pickerel?
Esox niger.
Is a license required for chain pickerel?
A freshwater license, required from age 16 unless exempt.
When can I keep chain pickerel?
No closed season is listed for chain pickerel.
How current is the chain pickerel information?
FWC data, checked October 2026.