Pickerel Frog Lithobates palustris - Species in Greatest Conservation Need

Photo by C. E. Smith.
Description: 1¾ - 3 inches. Pickerel Frogs are brown or tan, with two rows of brown squarish or rectangular blotches running down the back, and brown blotches on the sides. There may be random blotches between the two rows on the back. The belly is white, and there is yellowish coloring in the groin area under the back legs. There is a light colored line on the upper lip.

Similar Species: Northern Leopard Frogs have more rounded spots, and may have green coloring in the groin area of the legs, but never yellow.

Comments: Currently only known from southeastern Minnesota where they occur in trout streams and along seeps. It is possible they also occur in east-central, and northeastern Minnesota in similar habitats but are mistaken for Northern Leopard Frogs. Please report observations to HerpMapper.org.

Distribution Map
Distribution of the Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)

This map is generated from data provided by the Bell Museum of Natural History and HerpMapper.org. Please help us keep it up-to-date by submitting your amphibian and reptile observations.

Phenology of Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)
Photographs