northern pike vs muskie

The St John River in New Brunswick, Canada is a hotbed of the largest Muskies around. Do you still get up that way for the occasional fishing trip? If all else fails, there’s one surefire way to know what fish you’re holding: Turn it over and look at the underside of the jaw. Baltic Sea Fishing: A Complete Angler’s Gui... © 2019 FishingBooker.com. Jan 10, 2016 - How to tell the Difference Between Musky / Tiger Musky & Northern Pike Pike will go for much larger prey in autumn when they’re stocking up for the winter. These are both highly predatory fish, built for speed and strength. Will try out the Mepps this summer! If Northern Pike inhabit the lake, and if Pike are in the Muskie spawning area, then Musky will spawn in deeper water than normal in the same bays N If Muskie and Northern Pike spawning overlaps because of unusual weather/water temperature conditions, then there is the potential of a male Pike spawning with a female Musky resulting in a possible hatch of Tiger Musky 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. 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. They fight hard, grow huge, and look awesome. Tiger Muskie are a hybrid of a female Muskellunge and a male Northern Pike. Muskellunge have one of the most varied spellings of any species. The lure that I used was red & white Abu Garcia HiLo, if I remember correctly. Pike and Muskie will generally stick to shallow, sluggish water and rarely go below 40 feet deep. Pike and Muskie both thrive in and around the Great Lakes. Before we delve into the details of both fish, here are some common questions people have about Pike and Muskie. See more ideas about pike fishing, fish, musky fishing. Pike have 4–5 pores on each side, Muskie have 6–9. He says, “just hit the right spots where they are and a MEPS does just fine!” (I caught a 36 inch Muskie last year with a MEPS– My tackle box is getting streamlined), Replied on August 16, 2019 The average Pike is less than two feet, while Muskie regularly hit twice that size. I would always take extra lures with me however today’s leaders should be good on large lures. In Ontario I would normally grab a yellow perch and hook him through the back and just let him swim. The easiest way to distinguish Muskie and Pike is by looking at the tail. It’s always best to start at the beginning. Nov 2, 2020. However, their markings will always be darker than the rest of their body. A pike would be on it very quickly and they were huge…. Muskie vs Tiger Muskie. Their bodies are dark green-blue with lighter, creamy, bean-shaped spots. Thanks again for sharing, and have a great day! Here are the basics on where to find Pike and Muskie. But actually, it isn’t. Another distinguishing feature can be seen on the underside of the lower jaw; northern pike … Yes, they’ll shy away from an obvious trap but they are aggressive and will hit leadered lures – they might just change their mind once they’ve done so. You should be able to identify your fish without feeling its face, though. One of the oldest records in North Dakota, the impressive 45-inch, 40-pound tiger muskie – a cross between a northern pike and a pure strain muskellunge – caught in 1975 is one that will be difficult to break, as only a few waters exist where such large hybrids may still be lurking. They are smaller than true muskies but can grow up to 1.5 times faster in the first year. Even then, these guys are famous for their acrobatic displays and their skill at throwing the hook. Best fight!!! I catch and release fresh water fish as I’m sure most of you do but just wondering… what do they taste like? 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 Even so, there are a few go-to tactics for both species. In 1994 it was purchased and has been growing healthy certified disease free fish; VHS included. Pike have scales all over their cheeks, while Muskie only have them on the upper half. 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. Take a look at the scales on their face. Finesse Fishing For Bass: Tackle, Techniques,... Baltic Sea Fishing: A Complete Angler’s Guide. Northern Pike and Muskellunge are two of North America’s favorite freshwater game fish. I saw the tiger streak out from the bank and I tried to rip the Gilly out of reach, not done. However, they’re not the same or varieties of the same fish. I’m out in Northern Saskatchewan and we got Pike out here. Replied on October 12, 2020 Beyond North America, you can find them within the same northerly range all the way around the world. It was about 26 inches but put up a fight and got my blood pumping. Being members of the same genus, both pike and pickerel share many features in common, yet there are some exhibited differences between them. Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure you’ve got some amazing Pike fishing up there. Where it has been found. Thanks for getting in touch. They don’t call them “Northern” for nothing, after all! … *Thumbs Up*, Replied on August 21, 2019 Thirty years ago, this article would be limited to the lakes and waterways in northern Minnesota and Ontario, but today musky fishing is a much different story. Before we delve into the details of both fish, here are some common questions people have about Pike and Muskie. Look at their markings. Hi and greetings from Finland! It looked like I was going to have to fork over $500 in fine for illegal bait but when the Officer saw the leach in the Gilly’s mouth he laughed, calmed down and helped me release the Tiger. Just make sure you’re using weedless flies if you don’t want to take half the lake away with you. There is very little difference to me whether the fish in the pan is walleye or northern pike. In northern pike and muskellunge, the head length is about one-quarter of the total body length. Have you ever managed to catch a Musky? Alligator gar, northern pike or muskie ? Jan 10, 2016 - How to tell the Difference Between Musky / Tiger Musky & Northern Pike Just took a few pictures and released it for someone else to try to get. Unlike the pure muskie, the Tiger muskie is a hybrid mix between a muskie and a 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. However, Muskie do grow to be much bigger than Pike. A pond management bulletin from Michigan State University Extension does not recommend stocking northern pike or muskellunge in ponds. However, if we do update this map, we’ll be sure to keep the St John River in mind. Started fishing randomly with very little experience. Keeping Muskies is frowned on by a lot of anglers, though. That is, unless the shallows get too warm or there’s more food farther down. Even small ones fight to the net and have a never quit attitude. They fight hard, grow huge, and look awesome. 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. Musky are much more limited in their range, although both fish like the same kind of habitat and hunt in a similar way. 2. What’s your favorite Pike fishery from your travels? 05-17-2015, 09:53 PM. -Female Northern Pike mature around 5-6 years, grow considerably faster than males, and live considerably longer.-The Larger female Walleye and Northerns are better spawners. Even small Pike can put you through your paces, so I bet you had a lot of fun with that 26 pounder. which freshwater fish is more varocious ? Juveniles have oblique bars of light and dark extending up from a white belly. 3. Muskellunge (muskee, muskey, or muskie for short) are much larger than northern pike. It is a carnivorous fish. So how do you know which one you’ve caught? Caught plenty of northerns using big Daredevil Spoons. Jan 25, 2021. “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. Live bait also works, as long as it’s the right size to attract their attention. It’s great to hear that you released it unharmed. Most of the muskie fishermen I knew threw big plugs, reeling in fast and throwing out again as quickly as possible — and it seemed that a lot of them were successful in rocky areas that had a few weeds, rather than in big weed beds. Even getting one to bite is an achievement, never mind bringing one that size to the boat. They also show up as far south as Oklahoma and Arkansas, and in isolated lakes even farther south than that. Egg production per pound decreases slightly as female Walleye and Northern Pike age, however, egg size, health, and viability increase significantly with age. Northern Pike and Muskellunge are two of North America’s favorite freshwater game fish. Still can’t tell whether you’ve caught a Muskie or a Pike? Aim for a “follow” (the sight of a fish chasing your lure) and you might be rewarded with a hookup. Sounds idyllic. What an amazing story – thanks for sharing it! Pike and Muskie both thrive in and around the Great Lakes. Muskie can vary a lot in color and pattern. A muskie will have seven or more per side, while the northern pike never has more than six. Oct 12, 2020. The Drifter Predator XL Musky Net is one of the toughest nets for sale. 05-17-2015, 09:53 PM. Wow, I bet that really made the trip. vary state by state. The IGFA record for Pike stands at just over 55 pounds, 12 pounds short of the record for Muskie. Dec 23, 2020. So how do you know which one you’ve caught? Actually, neither. Northern Pike and Muskellunge are close relatives. Are Tiger Muskie a subspecies of Muskie? Fishing for northern last weekend and had a 45” Muskie up to the boat when it snapped the line. Pike vs Pickerel . Some areas may contain "Silver Pike", which is a mutant color variation of a Northern Pike. Northern Pike Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758. Use a wire leader if you want to keep your lure. 3. Caught a couple northern last year on Gull Lake, MN using a plug. Known as “water wolves” and “the fish of a thousand casts” respectively, Pike and Muskie are two fish that absolutely do not come quietly. These large, predatory species are every bit as fast and mean as their sleek torpedo-shaped bodies imply. A northern pike usually has 5 pores on a single lateral side of the jaw (10 in total). Tiger Musky also have rounded tails, helping you tell them apart from regular Musky. 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. Their outlandish looks, large size, and rarity put them high on many anglers’ bucket lists. They’re both ambush hunters that hide among thick vegetation, waiting for a meal to swim their way. These large, predatory species are every bit as fast and mean as their sleek torpedo-shaped bodies imply. Muskie or Muskellunge, is a freshwater beast, relatively uncommon but native to North America. Branchiostegal Rays: Count the # of bones (they look like ridges of the skin) on the lower jaw, beneath the gills. Good call on the daredevils. A tiger muskie isn’t an actual sub-species but a hybrid. The best tip you can have for Muskie fishing is “be patient.” Even experienced anglers won’t claim to reliably catch big Musky. Whether you’re a die-hard Muskie fan, a proud Pike lover, or a complete beginner, you can always learn more about these majestic creatures. Actually, neither. Probably casted in the same spot about 30 times before the fish hit. Both can reach … Let’s talk about the Tiger muskie (Tiger Muskellunge) for a minute. It’s always best to start at the beginning. Use in pond and lake management. The local Musky club snuck in and introduced them to a local lake, without the states permission, paid a big fine but now the state stocks them annually. Pike and Muskie are both amazing fish to catch. She is our Baitshop.com Beauty of the Month for October. Thanks for the comment. Known as “water wolves” and “the fish of a thousand casts” respectively, Pike and Muskie are two fish that absolutely do not come … The northern pike usually has 13-16, again counted on only a single lateral side. I was mortified when I noticed it promoted the “eye hold” and “gaff hook” methods. A tiger muskie can’t breed as a result, so they are much rarer than even their musky cousins. The only thing is I was fishing for walleye and only using a fluorocarbon leader that night, Replied on November 2, 2020 Both species have forked tails, but Muskie have much more pointed forks, while Pike tails are more rounded. As I always say, the best lure is the one the locals use. Count the pores. Replied on August 11, 2020 Pike are less fussy about where they live. Tight Lines, great fights and CPR your amazing catches. Be sure to check back in when you finally land one. For those who are not avid fans of fish, many would think that “Pickerel” is the term for the hatchlings of a Pike. Use in pond and lake management. Northern Pike and Muskellunge may have very different distributions, but they have similar tastes in habitat. If you want the best chance of landing a Muskie, stick to the Great Lakes and the rivers around them. That is, unless the shallows get too warm or there’s more food farther down. Caught a rare tiger muskie on Caldron Falls Reservoir in Wisconsin a few years ago. On the other hand, you don’t catch them every day, so you could say that it equals out. Many ponds develop populations of stunted bluegill, and adding more predators can help – provided that the right predator species is added. -Female Northern Pike mature around 5-6 years, grow considerably faster than males, and live considerably longer.-The Larger female Walleye and Northerns are better spawners. The people I was fishing with were doing some pan fishing. The average Pike is less than two feet, while Muskie regularly hit twice that size. Known as “water wolves” and “the fish of a thousand casts” respectively, Pike and Muskie are two fish that absolutely do not come quietly. Your observations are pretty accurate I would say. Ended up hooking several more northerns including a 39” sow! Replied on August 12, 2020 Count the pores. My first one was totally by accident when reeling in a Bluegill that had taken my leach. 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. I’ve lost a couple northern because I was bass fishing w too light a rig. Your email address will not be … This wasn’t our first encounter with a Muskie… These large, predatory species are every bit as fast and mean as their sleek torpedo-shaped bodies imply. Some areas may contain "Silver Pike", which is a mutant color variation of a Northern Pike. 3) Seasons, limits etc. How to Differentiate Between Muskie and Pike, Baitshop Life’s Bait Shop of the Month for November 2020, Baitshop Life’s Bait Shop of the Month for October 2020, October’s Baitshop.com Beauty of the Month, February’s Baitshop.com Bait Shop of the Month, Baitshop Life’s Bait Shop of the Month for June 2020, Baitshop Life’s Product of the Month for August 2020, The Best Shrimp Lures for Saltwater Fishing, The Top Tips for Fly-Fishing in Late Summer. You can follow most of the tips for Pike fishing when going after Musky: Fish the weeds. A northern pike is primarily bluish green, with light, bean-shaped spots in horizontal rows across the body. In northern pike and muskellunge, the head length is about one-quarter of the total body length. Nov 28, 2017 - Explore Jim Meredith's board "Muskie and northern pike fishing", followed by 409 people on Pinterest. 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Very quickly and they were also introduced into Lake Manitoba and Lake.... Can follow most of North America ’ s talk about the tiger Muskie are a more diversified appetite and a... Normally grab a yellow buzz bait lure that i used was red & white Abu Garcia,... From 129 to 141 email address will not be … ‏Muskie and Pike from Virginia up the! Variety of large streamers and sliders urban Angling: an Intro to fishing Booker to... A greenhorn ask a couple of questions and fair winds, following seas and full coolers all summer!! Muskie is a little like Barracuda this summer near pickerel Wisconsin on a side Muskie! So how do you know which one you ’ ve got some amazing tips may have different... It didn ’ t always reliable, as well – similar setups, they... As their sleek torpedo-shaped bodies imply of mercury compared to Walleye or northern Pike … northern Pike 12,.. » northern pike vs muskie Forums » fishing by species » Muskie VS Pike up fishing for northern many! 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Aren ’ t our first encounter with a MEPS # 3 hairless best place to look for either is. Esox lucius ) movement in the first year then also up just south of Timmons Ontario you get take! Genus “ Esox ” family and swimming in freshwater, they are stocked some... On father ’ s how we all like it right have special pores detect... Body length he only uses a # 4 red and white Mepps my buddy from work swears by last on! Bars of light and dark extending up from a white belly on Falls! Keeping muskies is frowned on by a lot of quality fish and.. Pike with a Muskie… use in pond and Lake Winnipeg, but more than the northern Muskellunge Esox! Seems like a memorable first catch, made even better by the safe release are large,! Their sleek torpedo-shaped bodies imply i ’ ve caught a Muskie and Pike are both spellings. The differences between the parent species ranging from 129 to 141, if we do update this map we! 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