The grass pickerel, like other pike species, has a long tubular shaped body. They have a dark tear drop under their eye and a light colored stripe against a darker background down the center of their back. They have a pattern of blotches or vertical lines on their side. Grass pickerel can be distinguished from northern pike or muskellunge by their lack of spots or dark markings on their fins. Chain pickerel differ by having a chain like pattern of large oblong spots on their side, more deeply forked tail, and a longer snout.