Pickerel Overabundance In Upstate Lake

[Chief 2]

The lake I fish seems to have an overabundance of Pickerel this year. They hit on everything you throw out. I would like to reduce the population some, but can't seem to find any info on limits or reducing the population. Anyone got any info? Thanks!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Check the NYS DEC website whenever in doubt: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31421.html Pickerel limit is 15" 5/day. There's no reason pickerel and bass can't coexist though. If you want to eat a few picks be my guest but please leave the fisheries management to the professionals.

[Chief 2]

Thanks for the info. Not trying to be fisheries management, but when the pickerel are so aggressive that they are chasing the good fish you are catching then coexisting may be more like the pickerel are wiping out the game fish. That being said, I am lucky enough to be retired and my boat is on my lift which allows me to fish everyday. 30 days a month 5 fish a day and I can put a serious dent in the pickerel.

[Jar11591]

Pickerel are fun! I don't mind catching picks when I'm bass fishing. I heard they taste good too but not worth the hassle to me to clean around the bones.

[Teal]

There have been days when I can't catch a bass to save my life, but Jack's are hitting every spinnerbait and crankwe throw...those are the days we just gto with it and enjoy catching them. They really do right hard and will crush a spinnerbait.

[Marty]

Why not call the local DEC office, ask for a fisheries biologist and see if they know what's going on to cause this apparent imbalance.

[Chief 2]

Marty,

   That is good advice. I will do that tomorrow.

Gary 

[jaystraw]

Those pickeral do drive me crazy as well.

[flyfisher]

I ma guessing since your profile is in NY that the water is still la little chilly.  Pickerel are way more active when it is chilly out and i run into the same things down here in VA. Once the water warms up some, i don't catch nearly as many.

 

You also have to remember that the pickerel help to control small fish populations which in turn creates a more healthy fishery.  Many lakes around here encourage you to keep smaller bass but nobody ever does and you can see it in the quality of fish that are present.

 

I have caught a 20" bass and a 22" pickerel off the same blowdown before, so they can coexist for sure.

[Deleted account]

Big bass eat small pickerel, big pickerel eat small bass, they are both fun to catch, so its all good...

[Chief 2]

I did speak with a fisheries biologist that happens to fish the lake where I live. He said it is a pickerel factory, but the pickerel and bass coexist just fine. Every time out I pick up 5 -10 pickerel. Good sized ones also.