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Muskies, Pikes, and Tigers

musky

pike

tiger musky

How to tell muskies,  northern pikes,  and tiger muskies apart

The tiger musky is the result of eggs from a female musky fertilized by a male northern pike. Tigers share some physical characteristics with each parent.

 

The musky is light-colored with dark vertical bars, has no scales on the lower part of its operculum, and has 6-9 sensory pores on each side of its lower jaw. There are 16-19 branchiostegal rays on each side. Muskies also have pointed caudal, pelvic, and pectoral fins.
	A musky

 

The northern pike is dark-colored with light spots, has scales on the lower part of its operculum, and has 5-7 pores on each side of its lower jaw. There are 14-16 branchiostegal rays on each side. Pikes also have rounded caudal, pelvic, and pectoral fins.
	A northern pike

 

The tiger musky has irregular light vertical markings on a dark background, 5-7 pores on each side of its lower jaw, and scales on the lower part of the operculum.

Hybridization occurs naturally and is increasing in lakes that contain both species. Male hybrids are always sterile, but females may be fertile. Tiger muskies have been artificially hybridized in Wisconsin hatcheries since 1940.

• Back to musky profile.
• Back to northern pike profile.

 

Sources: "Muskellunge," written by Maureen Mecozzi, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources brochure, January 1989.
Fishes of Wisconsin, George C. Becker, University of Wisconsin Press, 1983.
"Tiger in the Woods: The Jungle Book on Tiger Muskies," In-Fisherman, April 1998, pp. 104-108, 110, 112, 114.
"Tell You Something about Big Muskies," In-Fisherman, September, October, November 1998, pp. 38-43.

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copyright  University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute
Color drawings from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Black-and-white drawings copyright George C. Becker
Last updated 11 February 2002 by Seaman