Help Identify

[43acres]

Caught near the dam on Pomme. I know there is a population of muskie, but I think this is a northern pike. ????

[Ketchup]

Musky for sure. 

[Johnsfolly]

It's a musky. Nice catch.

[Dutch]

When in doubt just breathe through your nose.  That will tell you if it is a muskie.

[MrGiggles]

Definitely not a pike but the coloration is weird for a Musky. Wonder if the hatcheries are playing with a new strain, I googled "spotted musky" and it looks just like a strain native to the great lakes.

[BilletHead]

[jdmidwest]

Crossed with a spotted gar.  Fish of a 1000 casts.  Lucky you still have your lure without a steel leader.

[tjm]

Quote

1. Check the tail. The easiest way to distinguish Muskie and Pike is by looking at the tail. Both species have forked tails, but Muskie have much more pointed forks, while Pike tails are more rounded. Tiger Musky also have rounded tails, helping you tell them apart from regular Musky.

2. Look at their markings. Muskie can vary a lot in color and pattern. They may have strong, thick bars, faint spots, or no pattern at all. However, their markings will always be darker than the rest of their body. Pike are the opposite. Their bodies are dark green-blue with lighter, creamy, bean-shaped spots.

3. Count the pores. 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. Pike and Muskie have special pores to detect movement in the water. Pike have 4–5 pores on each side, Muskie have 6–9. Make sure to handle the fish gently and keep your hands well away from its mouth as you flip it over!