The chain pickerel is a member of the pike family which includes muskellunge and northern pike.
The fish is named for its pattern of chain-like markings along the flanks of the fish. Other distinctive markings include a black bar beneath its eye.
The species can be distinguished from grass pickerel by its chain-like markings while the smaller grass pickerel exhibits dark vertical bars and rarely exceeds 10 inches.
Chain pickerel are common in creeks and streams of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. They prefer quiet areas of aquatic vegetation or other cover where they lie in wait to ambush unsuspecting prey.
They often thrive and become a top level predator in mill ponds and other small impoundments. Unlike some species, chain pickerel remain active in winter.