are pickerel usually spawning this time of year? im sure it depends on alot of things, but generally, are they spawning or getting ready to?

I live in Virginia and it's a little too early here.  I think they start to spawn when the water gets into the 50s, usually in early to mid March here.  

The chain pickerel spawns soon after ice-out, just like northern pike.

In Florida, where it never ices up, pickerel are spawning right now.

As a sidenote, unlike bass who build a nest and defend it,

pickerel are free-spawners who drop their eggs on flooded marshland (last year's vegetation) and keep on swimming.

Roger

The chain pickerel spawns soon after ice-out, just like northern pike.

In Florida, where it never ices up, pickerel are spawning right now.

          As a sidenote, unlike bass who build a nest and defend it,

pickerel are free-spawners who drop their eggs on flooded marshland (last year's vegetation) and keep on swimming.

Roger

We humans call that "wham bam thank................ya' know  :-X

Most of the guys I fish with in Florida consider a pickerel a junk fish along the lines of a gar.  Not a fair association, as I think they are fun to catch, and so tasty they compare nicely to a trout. (sweet white meat but bony)

But, when in Rome........................ 8-)

The chain pickerel spawns soon after ice-out, just like northern pike.

In Florida, where it never ices up, pickerel are spawning right now.

      As a sidenote, unlike bass who build a nest and defend it,

pickerel are free-spawners who drop their eggs on flooded marshland (last year's vegetation) and keep on swimming.

Roger

We humans call that "wham bam thank................ya' know :-X

Most of the guys I fish with in Florida consider a pickerel a junk fish along the lines of a gar. Not a fair association, as I think they are fun to catch, and so tasty they compare nicely to a trout. (sweet white meat but bony)

I'm with you Don.

Many accuse the pickerel of hitting anything that moves (a gross overstatement),

but isn't that the hallmark of a great game fish?

Roger