Chain Pickerel regulations in Connecticut

· Freshwater · 2026 season

Is it a keeper? A chain pickerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 15 inches, with a daily limit of 6.

Chain Pickerel size limit, season and daily limit

Where	Season	Size limit	Daily limit
Connecticut inland waters (statewide; managed lakes differ)	Open year-round	15 inch minimum	6 per person per day

Exact CT DEEP wording

Season: Open year-round
Size: 15 inches (lakes and ponds); no minimum in rivers and streams
Limit: 6 (lakes and ponds); no limit in rivers and streams
Inland waters — as printed: “Chain Pickerel: Lakes and Ponds: Minimum Length: 15 inches; Daily Creel Limit: 6. Rivers and Streams: No minimum length; No daily creel limit”

Source: CT DEEP, captured 2026-10-04 (2026 season).

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About the chain pickerel

Species of freshwater fish

The chain pickerel, also known as Jackfish, Mud Pike, or Southern Pike is a species of freshwater fish in the pike family of order Esociformes. The chain pickerel and the American pickerel belong to the Esox genus of pike.

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from CT DEEP, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Chain Pickerel in Connecticut?

15 inch minimum in Connecticut state waters.

How many Chain Pickerel can you keep per day in Connecticut?

6 per person per day.

When is Chain Pickerel season in Connecticut?

Open year-round.

Is my Chain Pickerel a keeper today?

A chain pickerel is a keeper today if it measures at least 15 inches, with a daily limit of 6.