Burke Lake Park, Fairfax County, VA
Chain Pickerel fishing today
Workable day for Chain Pickerel.
68/100
Why today scores 68
- 7 mph wind — Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
Right now at Burke Lake Park
- Water temp
- unavailable
- Air temp
- 81°F
- Wind
- 3 to 7 mph NW
- Tide phase
- incoming
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:23 AM / 7:52 PM
- Moon
- first quarter, 33% illuminated
- Solunar windows today
- 12:50 AM - 1:50 AM · 4:50 AM - 6:50 AM · 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM · 5:20 PM - 7:20 PM
- Forecast
- Sunny
About Chain Pickerel
Esox niger. Native toothy predator of mill ponds, blackwater rivers, and grassy shorelines — especially common on the Eastern Shore. Hits spinners, spoons, and minnow plugs aggressively. Cold-weather fishery when bass have shut down.
Preferred water temp: 45–80°F (ideal 60°F). Preferred tide: either.
VA regulations
- Daily creel limit
- 5
Non-tidal VA: 5 per day, no statewide minimum size. Lake Gaston and Buggs Island (Kerr Reservoir) have no daily limit. Less restrictive on size than MD (which requires 14-inch minimum).
Source: NTVA regulations. Last verified: 2026-04-22.