Esox americanus vermiculatus (Grass Pickerel) Fishes Native Transplant
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Common name: Grass Pickerel
Taxonomy: available through
www.itis.gov
Native Range: Florida and Gulf Slope drainages west to the Brazos River, Texas; northward in the Mississippi drainage (eastern Texas and Oklahoma, southern and eastern Missouri, the eastern board of Iowa, and southeastern Wisconsin) to the Great Lakes (southern Michigan, north shore of lakes Erie and Ontario) (Crossman 1978). Remnant populatoins in Nebraska likely refect a once, much larger westward range (Crossman 1978). Individuals in the southeastern part of the range are intergrades with E. a. americanus (Crossman 1978; Lee et al. 1980).
Nonindigenous Occurrences:
Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Esox americanus vermiculatus are found here.
Table last updated 11/7/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Means of Introduction: This species was stocked intentionally and possibly accidentally; it was stocked illegally in Oregon. Probably introduced inot Washington as misidentified northern pike E. lucius (Chapman 1942); it is also possible that grass pickerel were introduced into Idaho along with northern pike, and that the former species reached Washington by "some devious means" (Wydoski and Whitney 1979). Introduced into northern Wisconsin in the 1940s (Crossman 1978).
Status: Extirpated in California; established in Colorado, Washington, and Wisconsin; unknown in Oregon.
Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.
Other Resources:
FishBase Summary
Author:
Fuller, P.
Revision Date: 3/4/2015
Peer Review Date: 3/4/2015
Citation Information:
Fuller, P., 2024, Esox americanus vermiculatus Lesueur, 1846: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=675, Revision Date: 3/4/2015, Peer Review Date: 3/4/2015, Access Date: 11/8/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.