Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Chain Pickerel in a small pond - good or bad idea?

I talked to a different person with NE fisheries today. We chatted for a while, and he sounded a little irritated at times. But as we talked more, I think the discussion grew more congenial. I believe he thought at first I was interested in planting CP in NE streams. He was skeptical that CP would succeed in NE. He said he had attempted to establish grass pickerel in a newly created wetland and failed. He also said the grass pickerel that are native to NE aren't doing well. He attributed the problem to a changing environment.

Rainman,

I got this response from MDC:
"The "approved aquatic species list" includes all subspecies, varieties, and hybrids."

Yep. I fish a 100 acre pond (that's a lake to me) regularly and it has had chain pickerel in it for decades, so, that expert is wrong.

BTW, there are two lakes around here that used to have CP in them, lots of them and I haven't caught one in many a year. I note that both of these lakes have had Florida strain LMB stocked into them.

If I had a pond, I would not put CP in it because I am interested in LMB. I don't know anyone who likes CP around here; they are considered a nuisance fish. As for me, I do sometimes get a kick out of them because they do jump. But they have really nasty teeth. In a pond that kids or squeamish women would fish, a CP would not be good due to the teeth.

CP are usually pretty easy to catch. Anything that flashes, especially a spinnerbait will get them but I have caught them on many lures.

Anyone eat CP? I have not, but I am going to try one. I have been told that only the last third of the fish is edible due to a bazillion bones in the front. Also, to remove the red streak in the meat. However, here is a link to a video on how to filet chain pickerel and this kind of opened my eyes to a new way of thinking about them. He doesn't mention anything about a red streak. But he does show how to get fillets and he does brag about the good eating! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjcelLOjh1E)

Anyone know what the mysterious red streak is? Is it down the centerline? I cut that out of catfish sometimes because my girlfriend doesn't like the taste. I guess it's a fatty streak. I talked with a man recently who said his kinfolks used to catch CP and take that red streak out and then use it as bait to catch more, lol.

Nice website you have here.

~~~
Bill

The red streak is a special type of muscle that allows high lactic acid build up to give the fish who do a lot of swimming more endurance before it gets tired. It is very common in marine fish such as tuna who do lots of swimming. The lactic acid is gradually replaced when the fish rests.

Bill, is that the same reddish streak that is found in larger Channel Cats?

livemusic,
That guy makes filleting a pike look easy. I wish I could do that. I'm not handy with my hands, but I really like eating NP. A CP that size would be fun catching and good eating if the texture and flavor are comparable to NP.

There are numerous ponds in Virginia with reproducing CP. Most are acidic, tannin stained and heavily vegetated. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania stocks them into new and renovated lakes. They seem to have boom bust spawning cycles. Most anglers in my area consider them a nuisance species.

This brings back memories of my days fishing for Pirana, or Caribe as they are known in South America. They are an absolute blast to fish, braided steel leaders and all. But are essentially inedible because they seem like as much bone as meat. We found an indian lady who made soup w them, so we gave them all to her.

In southeast Georgia when we catch jackfish aka cp I do not keep them. world record was caught in my county in suwanahoochee creek which runs into the Suwanee river near the end of the okefenokee. in small creek we do eat redfin pike. those are very good fried. just gut cut the head off couple of slits in the back of those little things and you got a very good tasting fish stick. the bones are so small the grease will dissolve the bones. It is a great tasting little fish for sure. not sure if they are only in deep south or not though.