Fish ID: Did I catch a grass pickerel last year?
 

Caught this little guy last year, didn't think much of him. Looking back, did I snag the elusive Jersey grass pickerel?? I've caught a lot of pickerel in that size but never saw this coloration on them at all. What do y'all think?

Re: Fish ID: Did I catch a grass pickerel last year?
 

That appears to be a regular old chain pickerel. The grass pickerel has vertical bars and red fins, hence its other common name: redfin pickerel. Interesting pattern on that fish, though.

Re: Fish ID: Did I catch a grass pickerel last year?
 

i didn't know a redfin and grass were the same...in that case, that is def not a redfin pickerel so i guess it's not a grass either haha. If you really want to catch a redfin check in the small creeks where you'd find chubs and such.

Re: Fish ID: Did I catch a grass pickerel last year?
 

It sure looks like a Green to me. The big difference in markings is the completely unmarked lateral line. If so it is way out of its normal range.

Re: Fish ID: Did I catch a grass pickerel last year?
 

Esox americanus vermiculatus

Re: Fish ID: Did I catch a grass pickerel last year?
 

Lard, I'm pretty sure there is a difference between a redfin and a grass pickerel.

Redfin(Esox americanus americanus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redfin_pickerel

Grass Pickerel(Esox americanus vermiculatus): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_pickerel

After doing some research, it looks like the Grass and Redfin and both in the American Pickerel family and are cousins to the chain pickerel (esox niger), but both are much smaller. The main difference between the redfin and grass is their color pattern, especially in their fins. The one I caught is small, doesn't have red fins, but doesn't have the chain pattern. I was pretty confused looking back on this photo, but it looks like I did catch a grass pickerel. Thanks for all the help guys!

Re: Fish ID: Did I catch a grass pickerel last year?
 

Looks like I should have checked more sources. The guide I was using doesn't differentiate between subspecies, and attributed Esox americanus with both the common names redfin and grass pickerels. Sorry if I confused anyone.

I'm still on the fence as to whether it's a chain or a grass, though. It has the clear lateral line of a grass, but also the markings are a lot wider than a grass pickerel's usually are. I'd say it could be either or, or perhaps even a chain/grass hybrid.