0303.89.00.28 - Pike and pickerel

This HTS classification, 0303.89.00.28, specifically covers frozen pike and pickerel. These are freshwater predatory fish, readily identifiable by their elongated bodies and sharp teeth. The "pike" designation typically refers to members of the genus *Esox*, while "pickerel" often denotes smaller species within the same genus or closely related genera. The classification applies to the whole fish, frozen, excluding any processed forms like fillets or other fish meat that would fall under heading 0304.

It is important to distinguish this category from its sibling, 0303.89.00.31, which covers perch and pike perch (including yellow pike). While both groups are freshwater fish and may share some superficial resemblances, pike and pickerel belong to a distinct taxonomic group from perch and its relatives. This classification is for whole, frozen specimens, and not for edible fish offal, which is covered by other subheadings within 0303.9.

As this is a leaf node within the HTS, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, the classification is specific to whole, frozen pike and pickerel. When encountering a classification query, careful attention should be paid to the species identification to ensure correct differentiation from similar, but distinct, freshwater fish categories.