Any of several North American muskellunge by their smaller size, completely scaled cheeks and gill covers, and banded or chainlike markings.
The chain pickerel ( Esox niger ) grows to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and a weight of about 3 lbs (1.4 kg). The barred ( E. americanus ) and grass ( E. vermiculatus ) pickerels reach a maximum weight of about 1 lb (0.5 kg).