Esocidae Genus Level Identifiers

Grass Pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus)

Esox americanus americanus (redfin pickerel)- Snout is convex and short. Cheek and opercle fully scaled.
Esox americanus vermiculatus (grass pickerel)- Snout is concave and longer than that of the redfin pickerel. Cheek and opercle fully scaled.
Esox lucius (northern pike)- Cheek fully scaled, opercle partially scaled. Pattern and coloration slightly different than the pickerel, although this may be difficult to distinguish in younger individuals.
Esox masquinongy (muskellunge)- Cheek and opercle partially scaled.
Esox niger (chain pickerel)- Very similiar to grass pickerel. Cheek and opercle fully scaled. Individuals longer than 19 inches often have distinct chain-like reticulations.

Northern Pike (Esox lucius)