My, What Sharp Teeth You Have

Check out this chain pickerel my nephew caught this summer! Pickerel are in the pike family, which consist of torpedo shaped fish with large mouths filled with razor sharp teeth (though you can't see it in them in this picture). You might notice that there are pliers on the seat that were used to get the hook out, so we could release this fish afterwards.

They are found in shallow areas with lots of vegetation where they hide out and wait to ambush their prey. Right in the Pickerel Weed - probably named after these fish being found there. They can eat fish almost the same size as they are! They also eat crayfish, frogs, and mice if they get the chance.