chain pickerel
noun
: a large greenish-black pickerel (Esox niger) with dark markings along the sides that is common in quiet waters of eastern North America
Examples of chain pickerel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Northern pike start to spawn in early April when water temperature is hovering in the high 30s and low 40s, while the chain pickerel typically show up a few weeks later when the water warms up.
—
Ella Nilsen, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
The Sparrows Point resident reeled in a 24-inch chain pickerel, which is a freshwater fish part of the pike family, according to the department’s March 5 news release.
—Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024
That would be the chain pickerel, a smaller cousin to the northern pike that inhabits many of our regional waters and is very prevalent on Eastern Shore rivers and mill ponds, along with a host of Virginia and Pennsylvania waters.
—Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2024
His catches this past week consisted of peacock bass up to 5.5 pounds, snook, and largemouth bass to six pounds, chain pickerel, clown knife fish, grass carp and Mayan cichlids.
—Alan Sherman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Range and Distribution of Muskie vs Pike Northern pike and muskies are members of the Esox family of fish, which also includes chain pickerel and grass pickerel.
—Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023
Likewise, species such as pike and chain pickerel often attack a shiner from the side—a move known as T-boning.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 10 May 2023
Compared to their cousins the chain pickerel and northern pike, even small, young muskies simply don’t feed as voraciously.
—Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 25 Apr. 2023
West Virginia South Charleston: Regulators said a state-record chain pickerel was caught in Preston County.
—USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2019
Ella Nilsen, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
The Sparrows Point resident reeled in a 24-inch chain pickerel, which is a freshwater fish part of the pike family, according to the department’s March 5 news release.
—Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024
That would be the chain pickerel, a smaller cousin to the northern pike that inhabits many of our regional waters and is very prevalent on Eastern Shore rivers and mill ponds, along with a host of Virginia and Pennsylvania waters.
—Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2024
His catches this past week consisted of peacock bass up to 5.5 pounds, snook, and largemouth bass to six pounds, chain pickerel, clown knife fish, grass carp and Mayan cichlids.
—Alan Sherman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Range and Distribution of Muskie vs Pike Northern pike and muskies are members of the Esox family of fish, which also includes chain pickerel and grass pickerel.
—Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023
Likewise, species such as pike and chain pickerel often attack a shiner from the side—a move known as T-boning.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 10 May 2023
Compared to their cousins the chain pickerel and northern pike, even small, young muskies simply don’t feed as voraciously.
—Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 25 Apr. 2023
West Virginia South Charleston: Regulators said a state-record chain pickerel was caught in Preston County.
—USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chain pickerel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
from the markings resembling chains on the sides
First Known Use
1878, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near chain pickerel
Cite this Entry
“Chain pickerel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chain%20pickerel. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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