Walleye?? Pickerel?? I'm confused

[Alfiegee]

I have no idea why walleye earned the pickeral name, but they are definitely 2 different kinds of fish. One is a perch one is a pike. Nuff said.
When you order pickeral in a restaurant, what you get is walleye. Nuff said.

Alfie.

 

[Joel52]

I have no idea why walleye earned the pickeral name, but they are definitely 2 different kinds of fish. One is a perch one is a pike. Nuff said.
When you order pickeral in a restaurant, what you get is walleye. Nuff said.

Alfie.

hahahaha... I think you just contradicted yourself Alfie, or are all the restaurants and lodges wrong too?

 

[Alfiegee]

hahahaha... I think you just contradicted yourself Alfie, or are all the restaurants and lodges wrong too?

Yes the restaurants and lodges are wrong because what they are serving is walleye, not picks. Pickerel is a member of the pike family and not all that common in Lake Erie. Walleye on the other hand are very common in Lake Erie and often caught by commercial fishermen and sold to restaurants and fish markets as pickerel. They are not true pickerel. They are walleyes
May I add delicious by either name

Alfie.

 

[fishsmith]

The easiest way to see the difference between walleye and pickeral is to get a fish biology book. What most people call pickeral is indeed walleye and not pickeral. Restaurants call them pickeral because it sounds more appetizing then walleye. Walleye are members of the perch family while pikeral are members of the pike. Most definately not the same species. Needless to say when you hear people say pickeral they are most likely talking about walleye

 

[Joel52]

Well, call us uneducated hillbillies but up in the north country these are commonly referred to as pickerel. Some of the lodges on the Pickerel River do not even list walleye as a species. But then again, Pickerel Lake is another good "walleye" opportunity. Most places up around those parts call them pickerel, or picks for short... just sayin' :grin:

 

[NADO]

The Guide to Eating Ontario sportfish lists 2 species:

1. Walleye (pickeral, pike-perch)

2. Sauger

Unless someone here is an aquatic biologist id say we should probably stick with the fish identification guide??

 

[Joel52]

Not really. They use Pickerel as the proper name, and usually (bracket) walleye beside for those from places that don't know. Here's an example:
http://www.ssmcoc.com/visitorinfo.php?pageid=53
A true Northerner calls it a Pickerel, and doesn't really care what others do because no matter what, these are the Cadillac of fish and best shared with friends that are like minded...hahahaha :grin:

 

[Alfiegee]

Not really. They use Pickerel as the proper name, and usually (bracket) walleye beside for those from places that don't know. Here's an example:
http://www.ssmcoc.com/visitorinfo.php?pageid=53
A true Northerner calls it a Pickerel, and doesn't really care what others do because no matter what, these are the Cadillac of fish and best shared with friends that are like minded...hahahaha :grin:

I'm as guilty as anyone of calling a walleye a pickerel. I've been doing it for years and many many others use the nick name pickerel or picks for walleye. The fact remains a true pickerel is a small member of the pike family. A walleye is a member of the perch family commonly refered to as a pickerel. A google search will show everyone once and for all. Search images of walleye, then chain pickerel, grass pickerel and redfin pickerel.
I know a pickerel (walleye) will be called a pickerel forever and I will continue to call a pickerel (walleye) a pickerel. Lol. Just stating the facts for our friend Daspin.

Alfie.

 

[vnovshad]

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_173221.html

" Distribution/Habitat:



Walleye (also known as pickerel) are found throughout Ontario and is particularly common in the Great Lakes basin and throughout northern Ontario."

so confused...

 

[Porkpie]

Noobs, city folk and yanks call them walleyes. The rest of us call them pickerel!

 

[Alfiegee]

Noobs, city folk and yanks call them walleyes. The rest of us call them pickerel!

You can add the MNR to your list of those who call them Walleye.
You won't find any seasons or limits for these "Pickerel" in the fishing regs. Does that mean "Pickerel" are fair game year round and that no limits apply What regs do you refer to when fishing "Pickerel." Wouldn't be the regs for Walleye would it :idea:

Alfie.

 

[vnovshad]

You can add the MNR to your list of those who call them Walleye.
You won't find any seasons or limits for these "Pickerel" in the fishing regs. Does that mean "Pickerel" are fair game year round and that no limits apply What regs do you refer to when fishing "Pickerel." Wouldn't be the regs for Walleye would it :idea:

Alfie.

No the whole point was mnr does call them walleye/pickerel read the description in that site its crazy!

 

[goodentight]

nice bump from 2011.


From what I have heard... Canadians call it Walleye and Amuricans can it Pickerel. ?

 

[mckenzia]

As a true northerner it bothers me when people call Walleye "Pickerel". Two completely different species. As mentioned above, Walleye belong to the Perch family while Pickerel belong to the Pike family. Growing up on Lake Nipissing, I have caught many many walleye, but never have I caught a Pickerel :mrgreen:

 

[buck]

nice bump from 2011.


From what I have heard... Canadians call it Walleye and Amuricans can it Pickerel. ?

.

 

[Alfiegee]

No the whole point was mnr does call them walleye/pickerel read the description in that site its crazy!

I was referring to the paper edition of the 2012 fishing regs. As far as I can see the word Pickerel appears no where. Even in the description of Walleye the word Pickerel does not appear.
All I can suggest is that all you Pickerel fishermen out there abide by the laws pertaining to Walleye if you want to stay out of trouble.

I'm as guilty as anyone of calling a Walleye a "Pick." I have for years, but I was educated as to what a real Pickerel is when I caught some years ago in New Brunswick.
I do know one thing. If the menu says Pickerel on it I will be getting a delicious diner

Alfie.

 

[miles]

Thats interesting I kinda wondered why there was 2 names. I am a c&r fisherman but I can't resist the deliciousness of eyes lol

 

[Klik]

this is off topic, but same reason why people do crunches and sit ups and they think they will lose their stomach fat. it is just something that has been passed down generations and word of the mouth has gotten around. as alfiegee has said it tons of times. in the regulation books there is no such thing as pickerel. since the cousin to pike are almost none existence in ontario that there is no need to be a controlled species. hence the usage of the word pickerel to refer to a walleye is not even recognized by the ministry of natural resources.

This is CHAIN pickerel

This is REDFIN pickerel

This is GRASS pickerel

 

[sunny14]

Just to Clarify. I don't fish for either or one or two of these fish. The attached info is from My "Library" on "Ontario Fish Species".

The Info below in "Blue" is from an Ontario Fish Bioligy Site connected with the MNR. The suff in "White" is from "Fisheries & Oceans Canada."

I agree with Alfiegee. There is NO Mention of "Pickerel" anywhere in the 2013 Regs. Play it SAFE! Even if you have to Pretend they are both the same fish.

IMHO This is typical of "Government" One Division doesn't talk to another. The Right Hand doesn't know where the Left Hand is let alone what it's Playing With!

So. FYI:

 

[sunny14]

Apparently these "Things" actually do get Bigger than 10" or 12".

You can also make a "Delicious" FISH HEAD SOUP from them. YUK!!:x

I wouldn't stray to far from the "Thunder Mug" after doing so however.

Some guys get a little carried away with this Walleye/Yellow Pickerel Thing!