Chain Pickerel in New York
New York rules and lakes for chain pickerel.
- 5; minimum 15"limit
- 8 lb 1 ozrecord
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of the species, not a New York water: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Empire State chain pickerel: the short version
New York counts chain pickerel among its freshwater species; the DEC limit tables mention it across 5 rule tables. The statewide entry allows 5; minimum 15″; dates run may 1 – mar 15.
DEC records a 8 lb 1 oz catch from Toronto Reservoir, set in 1965, as the mark to beat. The DEC lake and stream lists put it on 72 pages here.
DEC’s beginner guide gives the usual size as 15-20 in./ grow to 30 in. Chain pickerel get their name from the chain-like markings on their bodies.
Size note and fact from the DEC I FISH NY beginner guide (I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing, Chapter 1 Fishes of New York (DEC, 2016)).
Seasons, sizes and bag limits for chain pickerel in New York
| Rule table | Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide inland waters | Statewide | 5; minimum 15" | May 1 – Mar 15 |
| Delaware River | Delaware River and West Branch Delaware River | 5; minimum 12" | open all year |
| Lake Champlain | Lake Champlain and tributaries to the first impassable barrier | 10 | open all year |
| Greenwood Lake | Greenwood Lake | 5; minimum 15" | All year |
| Indian Lake (border) | Indian Lake (New York-Connecticut border) | 6; minimum 15" | Third Saturday in April (6 a.m.) – Mar 31 |
2026 DEC freshwater fishing regulations web pages (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation), read October 24, 2026; figures checked twice on October 25, 2026.
chain pickerel and the New York state record book
| Entry | Weight | Angler | Water | County | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pickerel, Chain | 8 lb 1 oz | John Bosland | Toronto Reservoir | Sullivan | February 13, 1965 |
DEC state record fish table, DEC Current NY State Record Fish table, as of December 10, 2025; retrieved October 24, 2026.
Lakes and streams on the chain pickerel list
Lakes listing chain pickerel
- Cayuga Lake42,910 acres
- Lake George28,562 acres
- Skaneateles Lake8,777 acres
- Cannonsville Reservoir4,718 acres
- Otsego Lake4,171 acres
- Saratoga Lake3,772 acres
- Hinckley Reservoir2,708 acres
- Delta Reservoir2,378 acres
- Rondout Reservoir2,120 acres
- Hemlock Lake2,074 acres
- Canadarago Lake1,936 acres
- Honeoye Lake1,796 acres
- Tomhannock Reservoir1,709 acres
- Sacandaga Lake1,608 acres
- Brant Lake1,522 acres
- Lake Pleasant1,476 acres
- Peck Lake1,418 acres
- Muscoot Reservoir1,163 acres
- Schoharie Reservoir1,159 acres
- Whitney Point Lake1,150 acres
- West Branch Reservoir near Carmel, Putnam County764 acres
- Canadice Lake722 acres
- Canada Lake688 acres
- Rainbow Falls Reservoir666 acres
Streams listing chain pickerel
- Hudson RiverSaratoga County
- Black RiverHerkimer County
- Unadilla RiverHerkimer County
- Great Chazy RiverClinton County
DEC Recommended Fishing Lakes and Rivers lists, DEC trout reaches, stocking lists and state records; largest waters first.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Same DEC category as chain pickerel
- Largemouth Bassfreshwater
- Smallmouth Bassfreshwater
- Rock Bassfreshwater
- White Bassfreshwater
- Walleyefreshwater
- Saugerfreshwater
- Northern Pikefreshwater
- Muskellungefreshwater
- Tiger Muskellungefreshwater
- Yellow Perchfreshwater
- Black Crappiefreshwater
- White Crappiefreshwater
New York shorelines a short drive from Chain Pickerel
Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ruhrfisch, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: dans362, CC BY 3.0
Chain pickerel in New York, asked and answered
Can I keep chain pickerel in New York?
5; minimum 15" under statewide, season may 1 – mar 15; other tables set their own figures.
How big is the New York record chain pickerel?
8 lb 1 oz from Toronto Reservoir, caught by John Bosland (February 13, 1965).
Where do chain pickerel live in New York?
72 water pages here list it, starting with Cayuga Lake, Lake George and Skaneateles Lake.
How many chain pickerel does DEC stock?
None are listed as stocked.
Where do chain pickerel sit on the DEC species list?
Freshwater on the DEC list.
Does New York close a season on chain pickerel?
May 1 – Mar 15 under statewide.
Is there a stamp for chain pickerel?
Anglers 16 and older need a DEC freshwater fishing license: $25.00 a year for residents, $50.00 for nonresidents, $5.00 for residents 70 and older, with 1-day and 7-day options.
Where can I read more about chain pickerel?
From the 2026 DEC regulation pages and the state record table, read October 24, 2026 and checked again October 25, 2026.
Choose water for chain pickerel
The pages above carry launches and DEC rules.