Tactics

Chain pickerel are a very aggressive predator, often lurking in thick woody cover or weeds and ambushing prey as it comes near.  They feed mainly on sunfish, shiners and shad but will take advantage of whatever piscene prey is available.  Pickerel are also known to eat frogs, crayfish, mice and salamanders.  

Perhaps the best way to target these fish is with artificial lures.  Good options would include small spinnerbaits (for thick cover), small rapalas, inline spinners, twister tail grubs, and rattling baits.  Fly anglers grab their attention with flashy streamers in the 3" range such as clouser minnows, decievers and zonkers.  White and silver are generally considered good colors for pickerel, but in stained water other colors may be better.  Focus your efforts around the edges of thick weeds, or pinpoint casts to pockets in the vegetation.  Tree roots and logs should be explored as well.

Natural baits are also very effective, with live shiners, chubs or small sunfish all being good options.  Rig them as the situation dictates - under a float or freelined along weed edges, bottom-rigged where current exists, or cast into pockets in the weeds freelined with only a simple hook.  Chain pickerel will also take small chunks of fresh cutbait if you can't find live baitfish.  Whether you fish with artificial lures or natural bait, a light wire leader should be used to prevent bite-offs from their sharp teeth.

Ice Fishing for Chain Pickerel

In the Northeast region, ice-fishing for chain pickerel can be extremely effective.  Some will claim that it is the best time to target them, as just like other members of the Pike family they remain very active in cold water.  Typically a number of tipups or setlines are deployed along weed edges baited with live or dead shiners.  While you wait for a tipup flag to fly, quickly jig through holes in the area with an active presentation.