this guy told me about these local ponds that are full of pickerel and he said that they spawn in January.

anybody know when pickerel usualy spawn?

Here's something from my New York State guide:

"Chain Pickerel spawn in swampy or marshy backwater areas of lakes and rivers soon after ice-out. No nest is built and no parental care of eggs or young occurs. Eggs are dropped on the bottom , sticking to whatever they come in contact with."

A web search for this species might get you more detailed information.

Yup-

Shallow mucky areas with lilly pads in the spring

thanks for the info marty

i checked with the maryland DNR page and it said they spawn when the water reaches about 50°, and the water is definitley not 50° in january, thats why i asked. i'll do a little more searching.

I am pretty sure that they spawn in colder than 50 in Massachusetts.