Walleye vs Pickerel: Are They the Same Fish?

Short answer: in Ontario, yes. Anglers here call walleye "pickerel," and when someone says they are going out for pickerel on Lake Erie, they mean walleye. The confusion comes from the fact that the name "pickerel" also belongs to a completely different group of fish. Here is how to tell them apart.

Why do Ontario anglers call walleye pickerel?

"Pickerel" is a long-standing regional name for walleye (Sander vitreus), used across Ontario and parts of the northern United States. You will also hear "yellow pickerel" and "walleyed pike." It is the same fish, which is why Ontario fishing reports, bait shops and fish fries all say pickerel when they mean walleye.

Are walleye and true pickerel the same fish?

No. True pickerels, such as the chain pickerel, belong to the pike family (Esox), the same group as northern pike and muskie. Walleye belong to the perch family. Walleye are not closely related to pike at all, despite the old nickname "walleyed pike." That is the key difference to remember when you see the word pickerel outside of Ontario.

How to tell a walleye from a pike or pickerel

• Eyes: walleye have large, glassy eyes that reflect light, built for low light and deep water. Pike and true pickerel have smaller eyes.

• Mouth: walleye have sharp teeth but a more typical fish mouth. Pike have a long, flat, duck-bill shaped snout filled with teeth.

• Fins: walleye have two separate dorsal fins, the front one spiny. Pike and pickerel have a single dorsal fin set far back near the tail.

• Color: walleye are olive to golden with a white tip on the lower tail fin. Pike are green with light, bean-shaped spots.

Catching walleye (pickerel) trolling spoons

Whatever you call them, walleye are one of the best fish to troll for, because covering water with spoons finds them quickly. Match your spoon to the baitfish: a Small (8 cm) spoon in spring until July 1, then a Medium (9.5 cm) spoon from July 1 on. That guidance comes from my own experience, customer reports and our pro staff, and your body of water may be different, so adjust to what you see.

Learn more in our spoon size guide, read How to Catch Walleye Trolling Spoons and Best Walleye Lures for Trolling Lake Erie, or browse all of our walleye spoons.

Walleye vs pickerel FAQ

Is a pickerel a walleye?

In Ontario, yes. Pickerel is the common local name for walleye. Elsewhere, pickerel can mean a true pickerel from the pike family, which is a different fish.

Is walleye related to pike?

No. Walleye are in the perch family. Pike, muskie and true pickerel are in the pike family.

What is the best lure for walleye (pickerel)?

Trolling spoons are a great way to cover water and find walleye. Pick a size that matches the baitfish: Small (8 cm) in spring until July 1 and Medium (9.5 cm) from July 1 on.