25" Chain Pickerel Caught and Released

Type: Tidal
Region: Central
Location: Martin's Lagoon

On May 9, 2019 while snakehead fishing in Martin's Lagoon with friends Dr. Dave and Father Jim, I was lucky enough to catch a 25 inch chain pickerel on a big bull minnow under a bobber. We carefully measured it on one of those 24-inch orange folding DNR rulers and the tail of the fish went over the edge of it. Then I gently lowered the pickerel in the water while it revived and we watched it swim away. We didn't see any snakeheads, but we caught three channel cats, a small white perch and a yellow perch. All fish were released. The big chain pickerel was an exciting catch and made our trip.