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Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Fish & Wildlife > Nongame & Endangered Wildlife > Wildlife Diversity - Herpetology > Frogs & Toads of Indiana > Pickerel Frog Pickerel Frog

Pickerel FrogDescription
1 ¼-3” (4.4-7.5cm). Square black spots in two rows down the back, in between both dorsolateral ridges. Ridges occur from eye to hip uninterrupted. Undersides of thighs bright yellow. Gray or tan with a white belly.

Call Description
Low-pitched, steady snore with little carrying power. 1- 2 seconds in duration. Similar to leopard frog, but more regular.

Indiana Range
Statewide except northwestern prairie and lower Wabash valley. Not common.

Diet
Insects, spiders, worms, and insect larvae.

Habitat
Wet areas with vegetation including streams, spring-fed lakes, farm ponds, meadows, and swamps.

Breeding Habitat
Marshes, wetlands, fishless ponds, and roadside ditches.

Breeding Season
April to May

Eggs
Globular mass of 700 – 2,900 eggs attached to submerged vegetation.

Tadpoles
Olive brown to green with dark spots. Belly iridescent with visible internal organs. Tail lighter than body, transparent tail fins with dark lines.

North American Amphibian Mentoring Program