I know how bad pickerel can be an invasive species, they are swift predators who hide in the shadows and dart out like a torpedo for strikes. They destroy baits, if not take them away. In some scenarios pickerel are much more efficient than bass and that can decimate the population. I know many people who turn a blind eye to pickerel kills and I can understand why, I've done 10-to-1 pickerel/bass ratio days, lost dozens of baits, the level of frustration turns into population control. In the end it's their judgement call to do what they want, the repercussions (if any) are their own. Just so you know, a lot of people do not care about pickerel and do consider them invasive.