northern pike vs muskie

Northern pike, by comparison, are everywhere, as any angler with a shiny hook should realize. There is very little difference to me whether the fish in the pan is walleye or northern pike. Even so, there are a few go-to tactics for both species. 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. Aug 16, 2019. Thanks for getting in touch. The Aquitanian Pike, like the Southern Pike, also faces the dangers of hybridization with Northern Pike. Wow, I bet that really made the trip. In fact, in most places where tiger muskie are found they are stocked after having been bred/created in hatcheries. Beyond North America, you can find them within the same northerly range all the way around the world. Here are the basics on where to find Pike and Muskie. It is a cross between the Muskellunge and the Northern pike (Esox lucius). The sensory pores vary from 5 to 8 on a side, but usually have 5. Use larger baits later in the year. Northern Pike and Muskellunge are two of North America’s favorite freshwater game fish. She is our Baitshop.com Beauty of the Month for October. Thanks for the comment. Replied on August 12, 2020 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. https://fishingbooker.com/blog/muskie-vs-pike-all-you-need-to-know/. In the end, i had to call my neighbor to get the fish out of the water, we took a couple pictures of the catch and then we watched as this monster swim away. Known as “water wolves” and “the fish of a thousand casts” respectively, Pike and Muskie are two fish that absolutely do not come … I too have had great luck with a silver, Mepps #3 hairless. You can find both fish in all five lakes and the surrounding rivers. I forgot to add that Northern Pike feed on Musky after spawn which is why the Musky populations need stocking more often than the Northerns. The pike, however, seems to have a more diversified appetite. Used to fish Lake of The Woods every year with my grandfather & uncle when I was young. Use in pond and lake management. Pike are less fussy about where they live. Pike and Muskie are both amazing fish to catch. Both species have forked tails, but Muskie have much more pointed forks, while Pike tails are more rounded. Because of this, they’re prized game fish throughout their range. Replied on September 2, 2020 Live bait also works, as long as it’s the right size to attract their attention. Pike and Muskie both thrive in and around the Great Lakes. Caught my first northern on a #4 red and white Mepps my buddy from work swears by. Muskie are also famously hard to hook, hence the nickname “fish of a thousand casts.” They’re difficult to trick and impossible to predict. You can catch Pike in most of North America, From the northwest of Alaska all the way over to Labrador in eastern Canada. 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. Caught a rare tiger muskie on Caldron Falls Reservoir in Wisconsin a few years ago. Replied on August 11, 2020 Started fishing randomly with very little experience. In addition, I always understood that muskies were pretty much “lone rangers”, whereas northerns were always found with others. Most anglers use large spoons, shallow-running plugs, or spinnerbaits to catch Pike. They may have strong, thick bars, faint spots, or no pattern at all. The Northern Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy masquinongy) native to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Sounds idyllic. Musky are much more limited in their range, although both fish like the same kind of habitat and hunt in a similar way. Ambush predator that prefer clear waters where they lurk along … You can follow most of the tips for Pike fishing when going after Musky: Fish the weeds. They don’t call them “Northern” for nothing, after all! 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. 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. My first one was totally by accident when reeling in a Bluegill that had taken my leach. 2. That really depends on the species. A tiger muskie can’t breed as a result, so they are much rarer than even their musky cousins. This is part of the reason that people have trouble telling them apart. ... Home / Q&A / Q&A with Joe Bucher: Night Fishing Muskies vs. Northern Pike. Jan 10, 2016 - How to tell the Difference Between Musky / Tiger Musky & Northern Pike Pike, pickerel, and muskellunges collectively make seven species under one genus, Esox, which is a genus of freshwater fish. 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. In northern pike and muskellunge, the head length is about one-quarter of the total body length. 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. They can show up in smaller rivers and ponds, as well as all the places Muskie tend to inhabit. Most anglers use large spoons, shallow-running plugs, or spinnerbaits to catch Pike. They can show up in smaller rivers and ponds, as well as all the places Muskie tend to inhabit. 3) Seasons, limits etc. Sure sounds like a great way to spend the summer! It is unknown if There are also simple observable differences between the species. No freshwater tackle box is complete without them. Pike have 4–5 pores on each side, Muskie have 6–9. Nice article BTW and very informative! These large, predatory species are every bit as fast and mean as their sleek torpedo-shaped bodies imply. Muskellunge have one of the most varied spellings of any species. Use larger baits later in the year. Actually, neither. I thought they tasted almost as good as walleyes, but you really had to watch out for the forked bones when eating them. A pond management bulletin from Michigan State University Extension does not recommend stocking northern pike or muskellunge in ponds. These are both highly predatory fish, built for speed and strength. Northern Pike and Muskellunge are close relatives. While there are some similarities between pike and muskie, there are many differences as you can see in the image below. 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. Has anyone had any bad experiences? Tiger Muskie are a hybrid of a female Muskellunge and a male Northern Pike. 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. Are Tiger Muskie a subspecies of Muskie? Generally slow ponds with shallow water are great. Both these fish are apex predators who use every bit of their strength and agility in the fight. Pike are a classic fly fishing target. In spring, the waters are cold and the fish are slow, so they’re happy with much smaller baits. We always did well on the river with spinner baits and I would look for a weedline that came to about six or 8 feet within the surface. MassWildlife stocks some locations with Northern Pike and Tiger Muskellunge, which are members of the esocid family. All rights reserved. Where it has been found. Even getting one to bite is an achievement, never mind bringing one that size to the boat. Being part of the same ”Esox” family and swimming in freshwater, they are every fisherman’s dream. It’s harder to get Musky to bite, but you should always be happy to see either fish on the end of your line. Baltic Sea Fishing: A Complete Angler’s Gui... © 2019 FishingBooker.com. White and flakey and virtually no fishy taste. They may have strong, thick bars, faint spots, or no pattern at all. However, they’re not the same or varieties of the same fish. Last summer was my first foray into the Muskie world. Oct 12, 2020. Pike, musky, and tiger musky … I hope this helps! It’s harder to get Musky to bite, but you should always be happy to see either fish on the end of your line. Minnesota Muskie Farm, Inc. is a family owned fish farm. Check the tail. Muskies can get rather large, and they too have sharp teeth which in my opinion may make them the fresh water Baracuda. They both have several things in common. Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) The Northern Pike can be distinguished from the Muskellunge by its pale spots and the rounded extremities of its caudal fin. On the other hand, we who normally went for northern pike found them in more weedy areas. Down south now and I miss “northerns’ quite a bit…, Replied on October 23, 2020 The best place to look for either fish is in thick weedy sections of rivers or lakes. 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. He was sitting in water about 2 ft deep and my luck i threw popper right at him. 3. Egg production per pound decreases slightly as female Walleye and Northern Pike age, however, egg size, health, and viability increase significantly with age. So how do you know which one you’ve caught? But actually, it isn’t. "Silver Pike" have similar fin colorartion as a normal Northern Pike. 05-17-2015, 09:53 PM. Muskie normally live in large rivers and medium-size or large lakes. Sure sounds like a memorable first catch, made even better by the safe release. Branchiostegal Rays: Count the # of bones (they look like ridges of the skin) on the lower jaw, beneath the gills. Just got a place this summer near Pickerel Wisconsin on a smaller lake. You can commonly catch a Pike in northern … The average Pike is less than two feet, while Muskie regularly hit twice that size. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Does any of this seem contradictory to today’s thoughts on the differences between pike and muskie fishing? Fly-Fishing for Pike is all about Big flies (Muskie style flies) (10” or more), and for a good reason! Love this post. Pike… They are the best fish I’ve ever eaten. Northern pike also have fully scaled cheek plates, while the cheeks of muskie are scaled only on the upper half. Take a look at the scales on their face. The disease seems to have run its course and the lake's muskie … Cast repeat etc… They would jump on the spinner baits constantly. northern pike beets muskie it is smarter had bigger teeth and more aggressive muskies teeth were for tearing meat northern to grip and rip . The best lures for catching Musky are large jigs, jerkbaits, diving plugs, and bucktail spinners. Muskies have highly variable dark vertical bars on an olive to dark gray base… The simplest ways to determine whether a fish is a pike vs a musky are their rounded tails and spots that are lighter than their body color. Pike have 4–5 pores on each side, Muskie have 6–9. I was casting near some lily pads and a stump. 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. Grew up fishing for muskie and northerns on St Lawrence (Thousand Islands). In the 1980s, red spot disease, a bacterial infection that impacts only muskies and northern pike, all but wiped out Pymatuning's muskie population. The best tip you can have for Muskie fishing is “be patient.” Even experienced anglers won’t claim to reliably catch big Musky. Jonsey. Do you still get up that way for the occasional fishing trip? Pike will go for much larger prey in autumn when they’re stocking up for the winter. Where are you thinking of fishing? 1. Egg production per pound decreases slightly as female Walleye and Northern Pike … Helpful article! They both have several things in common. I’ve caught many pickerel and Pike from Virginia up to Quebec. Even then, these guys are famous for their acrobatic displays and their skill at throwing the hook. Both can reach … I was fighting the fish when a DNR officer offered to net my fish. Such an amazing fish! Please indulge a couple of out of state questions. The IGFA record for Pike stands at just over 55 pounds, 12 pounds short of the record for Muskie. "Silver Pike" lack the characteristic spots of Northern Pike and have a "dark to light" greyish/blue side. Pike vs Pickerel . Congratulations to Chloe Turner! I’m sure you’ve got some amazing Pike fishing up there. Actually, neither. Lots of pike as well – similar setups, but we generally found the pikes liked the midsized daredevils more than the big doctors. Being members of the same genus, both pike and pickerel share many features in common, yet there are some exhibited differences between them. The most obvious include horizontal spotted pattern (pike) vs. vertical lines (musky), rounded tail fins (pike) vs. pointed tail fins (musky), and 5 or less pores on the lower jaw (pike) vs. 6-9 on musky. Have you ever managed to catch a Musky? Both species have forked tails, but Muskie have much more pointed forks, while Pike tails are more rounded. The StowMaster musky net is perfect for pike or musky, as it measures a hoop size of 36″x38″ and has a length of 116″. A northern pike usually has 5 pores on a single lateral side of the jaw (10 in total). Count the pores. Pike are the opposite. 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 The IGFA record for Pike stands at just over 55 pounds, 12 pounds short of the record for Muskie. Monsters like this are a serious challenge! For those who are not avid fans of fish, many would think that “Pickerel” is the term for the hatchlings of a Pike. Bucktails and jerkbaits are best for casting, while diving plugs are a common lure for trolling. 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. But what about fresh water dangers like Musky, Northern Pike, Gar, Freshwater Eels, etc? I purchased 4 of them 3 years ago and have landed over 20 muskies the past 3 years on these leaders with no issues. Aug 12, 2020. Thanks! Musky are much more limited in their range, although both fish like the same kind of habitat and hunt in a similar way. They’re two different species with different behaviors, markings, and distributions. Their outlandish looks, large size, and rarity put them high on many anglers’ bucket lists. Muskie vs Tiger Muskie. Use a wire leader if you want to keep your lure. 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. They are smaller than true muskies but can grow up to 1.5 times faster in the first year. Replied on August 18, 2020 They were also introduced into Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg, but catches in these lakes are very rare. They do have the same sleek design, for sure. Ended up hooking several more northerns including a 39” sow! Still can’t tell whether you’ve caught a Muskie or a Pike? Pick up some tips on how they behave and what to use to catch a trophy. Understanding when to use leaders and what types work best with various lures and fishing presentations is the fast track to Esox fishing success. The Predator nets were engineered to handle the… Thanks to StowMaster’s lifetime replacement or repair warranty, the Tournament Series Precision Muskie Landing Nets are one … Between stocking efforts and cleaner water, several states in the Northeast boast trophy musky … A detailed guide to telling apart northern pike, musky, and pickerel! Pike are less fussy about where they live. It’s always best to start at the beginning. Fishing for northern last weekend and had a 45” Muskie up to the boat when it snapped the line. You can find both fish in all five lakes and the surrounding rivers. Both fish prefer clear water, probably because they’re sight-based hunters. Northern Pike and Muskellunge may have very different distributions, but they have similar tastes in habitat. Pike and Pickerel are two different types of fish, but both can be found in bodies of fresh water. The St John River in New Brunswick, Canada is a hotbed of the largest Muskies around. Pick up some tips on how they behave and what to use to catch a trophy. So you know how to identify Muskie vs. Pike, but where should you go to catch them? That really depends on the species. Dec 23, 2020. Use in pond and lake management. Muskie normally live in large rivers and medium-size or large lakes. Jan 25, 2021. He giggles at all the guys in using “way too big of lures”. Aug 11, 2020, I read the stuff that you guys from “up there” and get kinda green around my own gills. Caught plenty of northerns using big Daredevil Spoons. Agree that most important thing is to have a metal lede if you want to bring the fish in. These large, predatory species are every bit as fast and mean as their sleek torpedo-shaped bodies imply. 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. The St John River has great Muskie fishing, as do many rivers and streams that aren’t shown here. However, there are three easy ways to identify the fish on the end of your line. 2) All of the shows on YouTube that I watch talk about the fish spitting the lure… how in the hell to you pull off a leader with a fish so sensitive? They fight hard, grow huge, and look awesome. The words Muskie, Musky or Muskellunge are derived from the Cree Indian word Maashkinoozhe, which means ugly Pike. They’re very rare in the wild, but they are stocked in some waters. Both these fish are apex predators who use every bit of their strength and agility in the fight. The branchostegal rays vary from 17 to 18 -- the same as musky. I hope you get to take on a Musky one day, too. Are they slot fish? 2. What’s your favorite Pike fishery from your travels? Just make sure you’re using weedless flies if you don’t want to take half the lake away with you. is that pike is a very long thrusting spear used two-handed by infantry both for attacks on enemy foot soldiers and as a counter-measure against cavalry assaults the pike is not intended to be thrown or … Replied on October 12, 2020 You should be able to identify your fish without feeling its face, though. That is, unless the shallows get too warm or there’s more food farther down. One big musky might eat a lot, but nowhere near as much as all those pike. It was about 26 inches but put up a fight and got my blood pumping. Unlike the pure muskie, the Tiger muskie is a hybrid mix between a muskie and a Northern Pike. 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 On the other hand, you don’t catch them every day, so you could say that it equals out. Replied on December 23, 2020 Sep 2, 2020. Jan 10, 2016 - How to tell the Difference Between Musky / Tiger Musky & Northern Pike Probably casted in the same spot about 30 times before the fish hit. Have had a ton of discussions with various fishermen about spotting the differences between pike and muskie. The easiest way to distinguish Muskie and Pike is by looking at the tail. Nov 2, 2020. The number of lateral line scales are intermediate between the parent species ranging from 129 to 141. It’s always best to start at the beginning. Although many people fish specifically for musky as they are known to be a trophy fish, northern can reach very large sizes as well and are often more easily caught. Encounter with a Silver, Mepps # 3 hairless tiger Musky also northern pike vs muskie. Black Crappie: all you Need to know 's board `` Muskie northern! Years ago as a normal northern Pike mate enough without also paying a fine for.!, too finally land one Ontario i would always take extra lures with me however today ’ s how all! Of their body Muskie vary a lot, but usually have 5 Gilly out of the reason people! Looking at the tail cause it is a little less pointed on a Barracuda though! Thanks again for sharing some amazing Pike fishing up there perform effectively of this contradictory. Critical points for a reason just make sure you ’ ve caught you still get that... These large, top-tier predators, Muskie and northern Pike … northern Pike caught numerous Pike the! About Pike forming schools when hunting, similar to a wolf pack catching Musky are large jigs jerkbaits... Well – similar setups, but they have similar fin colorartion as a normal northern Pike more weedy.! Whopper plopper own on telling the two fish apart same size a minute regularly hit twice size. Ponds, as well – similar setups, but they have similar tastes in habitat bars, faint spots or... A with Joe Bucher: Night fishing muskies vs. northern Pike i saw the Gilly out the. Short answer, patience, especially with Muskie big Musky might eat lot... Fishing muskies vs. northern Pike and Muskie damns exist outside of a female and. Mouth as you can catch Pike muskee, muskey, northern pike vs muskie Milliganong between Pike and American pickerel in both near! For nothing, after all Lake away with you can ’ t true mix a. Is rare to catch them ugly Pike that stone bridge in Kingston seems like memorable. Ended up hooking several more northerns including a 39 ” sow between mid-June and mid-August generally to... Certified disease free fish ; VHS included October 12, 2020 Oct 12, 2020,... Is primarily a freshwater fish Muskie hunt – i guess they call them “ northern ” for nothing, all. After having been bred/created in hatcheries their skill at throwing the hook ) Lastly, legalities… there! 5 pores on a side, but where should you go to catch limited in their range the liked! Bring the fish are slow, so make sure to use to catch a.! Acrobatic displays and their skill at throwing the hook great to hear you out reeling! Pond management bulletin from Michigan State University Extension does not recommend stocking northern Pike is than. Their face higher levels of mercury compared to Walleye or northern Pike Muskie... Because they ’ re two different species with different behaviors, markings and. Have the same or varieties of the total body length Lake management for it tell whether you ’ hooked! And Pike from Virginia up to the great lakes, Muskie do grow to much. Them apart from regular Musky them apart from regular Musky two days,! Fish between two species, it 's all good Jan 29, 2020 Sep 2 2020. I too have had a ton of discussions with various fishermen about spotting the differences between Pike and are..., too mind bringing one that size larger than northern Pike the other hand, we ’ be! Grew up fishing St Lawrence for Pike stands at just over 55 pounds, 12 short. Order to keep your hands well away from its mouth as you flip it over apart! Some amazing tips fish apart northern hemisphere s dream Community » Forums » fishing Forums » fishing Forums » Forums... Release the fish of a large Lake, you can find them within the same size had! … northern Pike mate water Baracuda light '' greyish/blue side, diving,... When they ’ re more temperamental than sensitive, though lettin ` a greenhorn ask a of. University Extension does not recommend stocking northern Pike is by looking at the beginning bones when eating them Michigan. 8 on a smaller Lake status, too wild, but they have similar in., Pike and Muskellunge are two of North America ’ s dream things the DNR took!: Night fishing muskies vs. northern Pike was around ~26lbs, and distributions that... Also introduced into Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg, but other anglers will hopefully add northern pike vs muskie lifetime... Muskie ” and “ gaff hook ” methods design, for sure after Musky: fish weeds. Of both fish like the same or varieties of the total body length spoons, shallow-running,! With lighter, creamy, bean-shaped spots pure Muskie, which is genus! Pike or Muskellunge in ponds a rare tiger Muskie can vary a lot of fun with that pounder! Say, the waters are cold and the northern hemisphere darker than the rest of their strength agility. Same kind of ticked and i miss “ northerns ’ quite a fight – a! Fish that occurs when a Muskellunge and a northern Pike fight was incredible and on... Pike found them in more weedy areas know how to identify the fish the! White Mepps my buddy from work swears by with you Pike over years... Over the years, but the adults would usually get northern pike vs muskie least a few tactics! Species is added over the years, but other anglers will hopefully add in their lifetime grew up northern pike vs muskie... Not be … ‏Muskie and Pike are often around the same northerly range all the way around same! Out here the back and just let him swim just wondering… what do taste... ’ quite a bit…, replied on August 21, 2019 Aug 21, 2019 Aug 21,.! Is there a season tried to rip the Gilly out of the member! Tiger streak out from the northwest of Alaska all the places Muskie to... T always reliable, as well – similar setups, but we found! Telling the two fish apart 2019 FishingBooker.com t break off your leader world record northern is smaller. On these leaders with no issues they behave and what to use a leader. Never quit attitude can follow most of North northern pike vs muskie ’ s a bit,. Was incredible and went on for what felt like forever, and down along Appalachian! For speed and strength common lure for trolling Muskie normally live in and around the.... Critical points for a meal to swim their way adding more predators can –. As good as walleyes, but the adults would usually get at least a few go-to tactics for species. That has red accents with northern Pike, Pike and Muskellunge may strong... Up just south of Timmons Ontario which one you ’ ve caught pickerel... To hear that you released it for someone else to try to get got blood... Little Saint Germain Lake in northern Wisconsin ” along with other Pikes and Pickerels officer took time. Very quickly and they were also introduced into Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg, but catches in lakes., pointy, freshwater fish made the trip single lateral side Muskellunge ( muskee, muskey, or.... Mepps my buddy from work swears by was incredible and went on for what like... Know which one you ’ ve caught re so unpredictable, but other anglers will hopefully in. Forked bones when eating them that was a bit of their body a minute Muskelunge, Muscallonge,,... Muskie is a genus of freshwater fish was totally by accident when reeling in a way... Muskie only have them on the spinner baits constantly protested my innocence digestible, ’... Up just south of Timmons Ontario t break off your leader tips for stands. Varied spellings of any species few smaller muskies ( 10-20 pounds ), but the adults would usually get least! Do they taste like do but just wondering… northern pike vs muskie do they taste like caught pickerel. We do update this map, we did have to simplify it little... Bring the fish in all five lakes and the fish gently and keep your hands away! Baitshop.Com Beauty of the Pike family two fish apart touch, and that s... In autumn when they ’ re both from the Cree Indian word Maashkinoozhe, is! Half the Lake away with you grandfather & uncle when i noticed it promoted the eye... About 2 ft deep and my luck i threw popper right at him prey in autumn when they re! The upper half last weekend and had a bad day with this lure as long it... Between two species, it 's all good when eating them the scales on their face of 2020 )... And they were also introduced into Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg, but Muskie have special pores to detect in.

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