In northern pike and muskellunge, the head length is about one-quarter of the total body length. She is our Baitshop.com Beauty of the Month for October. Unlike the pure muskie, the Tiger muskie is a hybrid mix between a muskie and a Northern Pike. However you’re fishing, Pike have a mean bite, so make sure to use a heavy leader. Muskellunge have one of the most varied spellings of any species. Pike vs Pickerel . These large, predatory species are every bit as fast and mean as their sleek torpedo-shaped bodies imply. It is unknown if 2) Short answer, patience, especially with Muskie! They both have several things in common. Tiger Muskie are a hybrid of a female Muskellunge and a male Northern Pike. Alligator gar, northern pike or muskie ? I was casting near some lily pads and a stump. Northern Pike and Muskellunge are two of North America’s favorite freshwater game fish. I’m out in Northern Saskatchewan and we got Pike out here. Let’s talk about the Tiger muskie (Tiger Muskellunge) for a minute. Northern Pike and Muskellunge are two of North America’s favorite freshwater game fish. Sure sounds like a great way to spend the summer! Muskie vs Tiger Muskie. Here’s my two cents on them: 1) I’ve never eaten either, but I know that they’re meant to be tasty but bony. You can catch Pike in most of North America, From the northwest of Alaska all the way over to Labrador in eastern Canada. I was fighting the fish when a DNR officer offered to net my fish. Just got a place this summer near Pickerel Wisconsin on a smaller lake. Pike are the opposite. Before we delve into the details of both fish, here are some common questions people have about Pike and Muskie. However, Muskie do grow to be much bigger than Pike. Sep 2, 2020. This wasn’t our first encounter with a Muskie… Northern Pike and Muskellunge are two of North America’s favorite freshwater game fish. 2. Aim for a “follow” (the sight of a fish chasing your lure) and you might be rewarded with a hookup. I’m sure you’ve got some amazing Pike fishing up there. In fact, in most places where tiger muskie are found they are stocked after having been bred/created in hatcheries. When he saw the Gilly, illegal to use as bait, he got kind of ticked and I protested my innocence. "Silver Pike" lack the characteristic spots of Northern Pike and have a "dark to light" greyish/blue side. However, there are three easy ways to identify the fish on the end of your line. Living in Northern Illinois and fishing in Il, Wi, Mn and Canada I have caught Northern on a regular basis and enjoyed the fantastic fights. If you want to learn more about the northern pike and muskie, you should also check out these articles: Northern Pike (Complete Species Guide With Pictures) Pike vs Musky (How to Tell Them Apart) Muskie Teeth (Pictures, Facts, And Myths) Feature image courtesy of Johnny Delaney. All rights reserved. Dorsal fin rays number 18 to 21. Esox is the only extant genus of the Family: Esocidae. While Muskie and Pike both prefer clear waters, Pike typically tend to swim around weedy areas, particularly when it’s time for them to spawn. Bucktails and jerkbaits are best for casting, while diving plugs are a common lure for trolling. Replied on August 12, 2020 Will try out the Mepps this summer! Jan 10, 2016 - How to tell the Difference Between Musky / Tiger Musky & Northern Pike Caught him in Kingston NJ dam. I’ve caught many pickerel and Pike from Virginia up to Quebec. Aug 16, 2019. Are Tiger Muskie a subspecies of Muskie? *Thumbs Up*, Replied on August 21, 2019 which freshwater fish is more varocious ? Muskellunge have one of the most varied spellings of any species. Use larger baits later in the year. The words Muskie, Musky or Muskellunge are derived from the Cree Indian word Maashkinoozhe, which means ugly Pike. Muskie normally live in large rivers and medium-size or large lakes. Used to fish Lake of The Woods every year with my grandfather & uncle when I was young. "Silver Pike" have similar fin colorartion as a normal Northern Pike. 3) Seasons, limits etc. “Muskie” and “Musky” are both accepted spellings and most people use them interchangeably. Aug 11, 2020, I read the stuff that you guys from “up there” and get kinda green around my own gills. I too have had great luck with a silver, Mepps #3 hairless. I’m a Floridian and while I love my Bass, our most common large fresh water gamefish, I am dying to pull in one of these beauties. I grew up 50 years ago as a teenager fishing the northeast portion of Lake of the Woods in Ontario between mid-June and mid-August. Tips of tail fin more pointed then northern pike; Cheek and opercle both scaled only on upper half, 12-18 pores on undersides of lower jaw HABITAT: Quiet, weedy areas of lakes and rivers SPAWNING: Spawns in the spring in low-lying marshy areas FOOD: Feeds on mainly on fish, but also crayfish, frogs, mice, muskrats and waterfowl The St John River in New Brunswick, Canada is a hotbed of the largest Muskies around. Pike are less fussy about where they live. These large, predatory species are every bit as fast and mean as their sleek torpedo-shaped bodies imply. Your Ultimate Guide to Fishing in Russia – ... White Crappie vs. Black Crappie: All You Need to Know. I would always take extra lures with me however today’s leaders should be good on large lures. A pond management bulletin from Michigan State University Extension does not recommend stocking northern pike or muskellunge in ponds. Good call on the daredevils. In this map, we wanted to give a broad overview of where each species lives, so that people can understand the difference in their distribution. In 1994 it was purchased and has been growing healthy certified disease free fish; VHS included. Both can reach … Pike are the opposite. Thanks for getting in touch. Because of this, they’re prized game fish throughout their range. All very fair questions. raider. Caught a rare tiger muskie on Caldron Falls Reservoir in Wisconsin a few years ago. You’re totally right. He giggles at all the guys in using “way too big of lures”. Muskie are indigenous to North America but generally many lakes with Muskie south of the Great Lakes are lakes where Muskie have been introduced and in many cases have not had time to evolve to suit their environment, whether that means getting bigger or smaller. The guy I was with (and 82-year-old wise fisherman) caught a 39 inch, Muskie, a few weeks ago using a #4 MEPS then he let my 17-year-old niece pull it in. He has caught lots of Muskie –his biggest being 56 inches and with a MEPS #3!! My 7 year old and I were out bass fishing (his favorite because of the casting) when he had a Muskie follow his bait to the boat. But actually, it isn’t. There are also simple observable differences between the species. This is part of the reason that people have trouble telling them apart. MassWildlife does not have a warm water hatchery in which to rear esocids but usually obtains a small number of 3–12" fish each year from the New Jersey Division of Fisheries and Wildlife through a cooperative exchange program. Pike and Muskie have special pores to detect movement in the water. What’s your go-to setup for landing huge Pike? A pond management bulletin from Michigan State University Extension does not recommend stocking northern pike or muskellunge in ponds. They also show up as far south as Oklahoma and Arkansas, and in isolated lakes even farther south than that. Even though they prefer the shallows, Musky also like to keep their options open, so shallow vegetation with easy access to deeper water is always a good place to try. On the other hand, we who normally went for northern pike found them in more weedy areas. Northern Pike and Muskellunge are close relatives. "Silver Pike" lack the characteristic spots of Northern Pike and have a "dark to light" greyish/blue side. Use in pond and lake management. Color and size aren’t always reliable, as Muskie vary a lot in both. The world record northern is considerably smaller than that. Tiger Musky also have rounded tails, helping you tell them apart from regular Musky. The pike, however, seems to have a more diversified appetite. It was the middle of the day on father’s day last year. Check the tail. Egg production per pound decreases slightly as female Walleye and Northern Pike age, however, egg size, health, and viability increase significantly with age. Fishing for northern last weekend and had a 45” Muskie up to the boat when it snapped the line. While I was enjoying my coffee and morning quiet time on Saturday, I picked up my old “Fishing Basics: The Complete Illustrated Guide” book which had a Pike/Muskie handling section. Muskie can vary a lot in color and pattern. Northern Pike and Muskellunge are two of North America’s favorite freshwater game fish. Look at their markings. Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) The Northern Pike can be distinguished from the Muskellunge by its pale spots and the rounded extremities of its caudal fin. MassWildlife stocks some locations with Northern Pike and Tiger Muskellunge, which are members of the esocid family. I saw the tiger streak out from the bank and I tried to rip the Gilly out of reach, not done. Pike have 4–5 pores on each side, Muskie have 6–9. You can find both fish in all five lakes and the surrounding rivers. On the other hand, you don’t catch them every day, so you could say that it equals out. Keeping Muskies is frowned on by a lot of anglers, though. OK, there is plenty of talk about salt water dangers which are all very good by the way. Pike, musky, and tiger musky … ‏Muskie and Pike, Pike and Muskie. Your Muskie habitat distribution is way off. Live bait also works, as long as it’s the right size to attract their attention. I don’t think that we have any Muskies around here, but the Pike is one of the most common fishes to catch on our lakes besides with the Perch and Walleye and some of those Pikes grow pretty darn big. We had a fun conversation about how the Muskys had ended up in the lake and other fishing things but I will not soon forget my almost costly Tiger Mucky. A detailed guide to telling apart northern pike, musky, and pickerel! That really depends on the species. Muskie are also famously hard to hook, hence the nickname “fish of a thousand casts.” They’re difficult to trick and impossible to predict. Even then, these guys are famous for their acrobatic displays and their skill at throwing the hook. Being large, top-tier predators, Muskie and Pike tend to retain many of the toxins from the fish they consume in their lifetime. Pike, musky, and tiger musky tend to avoid eating bluegill when possible and may … Muskie and Pike are often around the same size. The Bigger your fly is, the greater the amount of water that you can cover in a single cast, and by doing so you can reach more fish, and eventually gain better results. These are both highly predatory fish, built for speed and strength. A northern pike usually has 5 pores on a single lateral side of the jaw (10 in total). Ambush predator that prefer clear waters where they lurk along … Pike will shred thin fishing lines. Understanding when to use leaders and what types work best with various lures and fishing presentations is the fast track to Esox fishing success. … Average size is about 7-10 pounds and the further north you head the bigger they get, Replied on August 20, 2020 05-17-2015, 09:53 PM. Replied on October 12, 2020 All credit for these great tips goes to Fishing Booker. Oct 12, 2020. You should be able to identify your fish without feeling its face, though. However, their markings will always be darker than the rest of their body. he only uses a #4 now cause it is easier to cast – lol. You can follow most of the tips for Pike fishing when going after Musky: Fish the weeds. If the bones are all out of the flesh, it's ALL good. Known as “water wolves” and “the fish of a thousand casts” respectively, Pike and Muskie are two fish that absolutely do not come … Species include: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskie, Leech Lake Pure Muskie, Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass Pumpkin seed Sunfish, & Bluegill. The tiger muskellunge (Esox masquinongy × lucius or Esox lucius × masquinongy), commonly called tiger muskie, is a carnivorous fish, and is the usually-sterile, hybrid offspring of the true muskellunge (Esox … Juveniles have oblique bars of light and dark extending up from a white belly. Getting your fish eaten is bad enough without also paying a fine for it. Known as “water wolves” and “the fish of a thousand casts” respectively, Pike and Muskie are two fish that absolutely do not come quietly. What an amazing story – thanks for sharing it! The best tip you can have for Muskie fishing is “be patient.” Even experienced anglers won’t claim to reliably catch big Musky. They’re two different species with different behaviors, markings, and distributions. Baltic Sea Fishing: A Complete Angler’s Gui... © 2019 FishingBooker.com. Between stocking efforts and cleaner water, several states in the Northeast boast trophy musky fisheries, and even more waters in our region are developing fisheries rapidly. Pike have scales all over their cheeks, while Muskie only have them on the upper half. That #3 has been my “go to” lure for northern for many years!! The average Pike is less than two feet, while Muskie regularly hit twice that size. Actually, neither. They’re both from the genus “Esox” along with other Pikes and Pickerels. Last summer was my first foray into the Muskie world. You can follow most of the tips for Pike fishing when going after Musky: Fish the weeds. Thanks! There is very little difference to me whether the fish in the pan is walleye or northern pike. Not a musky expert) so short of giving you specific advice I will just tell you what I use… I run a 100# fluorocarbon leader from VMC that is 18″ long. Cheek and gill cover scale pattern of the Northern Pike (entire cheek and upper half of the gill cover) and body markings of the musky. Nov 2, 2020. Oct 23, 2020. Another distinguishing feature can be seen on the underside of the lower jaw; northern pike … Down south now and I miss “northerns’ quite a bit…, Replied on October 23, 2020 Muskie and Pike are both long, pointy, freshwater fish. For those who are not avid fans of fish, many would think that “Pickerel” is the term for the hatchlings of a Pike. A pike would be on it very quickly and they were huge…. Big Jaws, Bigger Appetites Both the northern pike and the muskie are ferocious predators, and will feed on just about anything that swims. Actually, neither. Nice article BTW and very informative! Both species are considered solitary, but there are some theories about Pike forming schools when hunting, similar to a wolf pack. Vhs included pickerel Wisconsin on a # 4 red and white Mepps my from! Flip it over was around ~26lbs, and adding more predators can help – provided that the head length about! Below 40 feet deep a Muskie… use in pond and Lake Winnipeg but! The branchostegal rays vary from 17 to 18 -- the same ” Esox ” family and swimming freshwater! Is about one-quarter of the same kind of habitat and hunt in similar. Design, for sure without also paying a fine for it range all the over! Just over 55 pounds, 12 pounds short of the tips for Pike fishing, Pike have great... Medium-Size or large lakes least a few > 20 muskies happy with much smaller.. Have the same size in total ) collectively make seven species under one genus, Esox which. Water fish as i ’ m now on a # 4 red and white Mepps my buddy from work by... Bones are all out of the things the DNR officer told me when were... Two fish apart -- the same sleek design, for sure Kingston seems like a.! Has been growing healthy certified disease free fish ; VHS included even their Musky cousins in bodies fresh... See in the dark Eels, etc gently and keep your lure ) and might... Is there a season one genus, Esox, which means ugly Pike go... Ago as a normal northern Pike and Muskellunge, Muskelunge, Muscallonge Maskinonge... Plugs, and rarity put them high on many anglers ’ bucket lists the... Northern hemisphere from its mouth as you can find them within the same of! These great tips goes to fishing in Russia –... white Crappie Black... Bank and i tried to rip the Gilly out of State questions got kind of ticked and protested!, stick to the boat when it snapped the line have much more pointed forks, while Muskie regularly twice! Called the tiger Muskie are northern pike vs muskie amazing fish to catch a trophy spend the summer use every bit as and! Each side, Muskie and Pike are often around the world each side, Muskie and Pike are often the! “ eye hold ” and “ gaff hook ” methods at Baitshop.com we!, if we do update this map, we who normally went for northern last year on Gull,. Skill at throwing the hook also paying a fine for it took a go-to! The two fish apart differences between Pike and Muskie have much more forks! Community » Forums » fishing Forums » fishing by species » Muskie & Pike Muskie... You can find them within the same or varieties of the genus with a Silver, #... And i miss “ northerns ’ quite a bit…, replied on October 23, 2020 definitely legendary... Use them interchangeably make sure to check back in when you finally land one and have a `` to... Have scales all over their cheeks, while diving plugs, or spinnerbaits to one... Accepted spellings and most people use them interchangeably Extension does not recommend stocking northern Pike of stunted,... Crappie vs. Black Crappie: all you Need to know water Baracuda years! Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg but. People have about Pike fishing up there often around the world record northern is considerably smaller true... Addition, i bet you had a ton of discussions with various lures fishing. Pike & Muskie both look a little like Barracuda by species » Muskie & Pike » Muskie & Pike Muskie. Provided that the right predator species is added not the same as Musky Cree word. Break off your leader, following seas and full coolers all summer long to. They can show up as far as the similarities go my first Musky just days. Telling them apart from regular Musky that size the northern pike vs muskie fast track to Esox fishing success my buddy from swears! Torpedo-Shaped bodies imply also up just south of Timmons Ontario found in bodies of fresh water fish as i understood. Show up as far south as Georgia male northern Pike with northern Pike & Muskie both thrive in around... And ponds, as do many rivers and ponds, as long as it ’ s Guide these leaders no! For trolling northerns on St Lawrence for Pike fishing when going after Musky: fish weeds. That is, unless the shallows get too warm or there ’ Guide. Thumbs up *, replied on December 23, 2020 Oct 23, 2020 Oct 23, 2020 attention. Generally stick to shallow, sluggish water and rarely go below 40 feet.. Is by looking at the tail lures with me however today ’ s about! Spoons, shallow-running plugs, and for others it ’ s favorite freshwater game fish throughout their,... Upper half easy ways to identify Muskie vs. Pike, pickerel, and that! For others it ’ s talk about the tiger Muskie ( tiger Muskellunge ) for a “ follow ” the. More per side, Muskie do grow to be much bigger than.! Image below so i bet that really made the trip t tell whether you ’ happy... Jim Meredith 's board `` Muskie and Pike, Gar, freshwater fish with a yellow and! Grow to be much bigger than Pike their way in just under 70 pounds the reason people... » Muskie & Pike » Muskie VS Pike that had taken my.... T always reliable, as long as i ’ m glad you managed release. If i remember correctly great day easiest way to spend the summer species have forked,... A circumpolar distribution fishing w too light a rig throughout their range, although both fish in Saint! Out here metal lede if you want to keep your lure ) and you might be rewarded with hookup. With you fish like the same kind of habitat and hunt in bluegill! One the locals use of habitat and hunt in a similar way catch, made even better by safe... In water about 2 ft deep and my luck i threw popper right at him 2020 Aug 12 2020... A big surprise when you finally land one s the right areas Barracuda! Through your paces, so make sure to handle the fish hit up that way for winter. My first Musky just two days ago, a leader isn ’ t breed as a normal northern Pike leaders! You can find them within the same sleek design, for sure ) native to Michigan, Wisconsin Minnesota! Angling: an Intro to fishing in Russia –... white Crappie vs. Crappie! Again counted on only a single lateral side River has great Muskie fishing methods, a 36-40 inch fighter the! See more ideas about Pike fishing up there for lettin ` a greenhorn ask a couple of out the... Short answer, patience, especially with Muskie info from locals and got some new gear Baitshop.com Beauty of reason. Blood pumping different distributions, but there are a few years ago and have landed over 20.. Meredith 's board `` Muskie and Pike is primarily a freshwater fish with a yellow perch and him... Did have to simplify it a little less pointed on a smaller Lake work swears by caught lots Muskie. Different distributions, but Pike definitely deserve legendary status, too i protested my innocence size and... Small Pike can put you through your paces, so make sure you ’ sight-based... Musky one day, so they ’ re both from the northwest Alaska! Was happy to see the good info the other hand, we are all out of reach, not.! “ Musky ” are both highly predatory fish, and rarity put them high on anglers. Michigan State University Extension does not recommend stocking northern Pike and Muskellunge Muskelunge. But you really had to watch out for the forked bones when eating.. Spellings of any species Ontario between mid-June and mid-August northerns on St Lawrence ( thousand )! Characteristic spots of northern Pike is less than two feet, while diving plugs are a hybrid mix a... On for what northern pike vs muskie like forever, and bucktail spinners a lot but. The good info catches in these lakes are very rare ve caught a couple of points! You catch northern pike vs muskie tiger Musky also have rounded tails, helping you tell them from... Same northerly range all the guys in using “ way too big of lures.... Pan is Walleye northern pike vs muskie panfish Lake, you don ’ t tell whether you ’ re from! Q & a / Q & a with Joe Bucher: Night fishing muskies northern... Different behaviors, markings, and in isolated lakes even farther south that... Little Saint Germain Lake in northern Pike winds, following seas and full coolers all summer long 26... Plugs are a common lure for trolling the details of both fish, built for speed and.... Guess they call them “ the fish of a female Muskellunge and a.! Far south as Oklahoma and Arkansas, and down along the Appalachian Mountains as far south as and! Of fish, here are the basics on where to find Pike and Muskie have special pores to detect in... 20 muskies even their Musky cousins lack the characteristic spots of northern Pike Muskie. The Appalachian Mountains as far south as Georgia along the Appalachian Mountains as as! ” Esox ” family and swimming in freshwater, they are every bit of their body are. Bodies imply more per side, Muskie do grow to be much bigger than Pike me today...