HERE'S THIS WEEK'S WEEKEND "FISHIN' FOR FUN" QUESTION: There are two most common methods and tell-tale signs on the heads of the muskellunge and northern pike that differentiate between these two VERY similar looking fish. Knowing these clues can positively ID these fish beyond ALL doubt. Can you correctly name them both? (Unless someone guesses first, I will post the correct answer Sunday evening. Good luck!)
Anonymous
Favorite Answer
1) Pike have 5 or less sensory pores per side on lower jaw, Musky have 6 or more.
2) Pike have fully scaled cheeks, while Musky only have scales on the upper half.
Thats 2 on the head.
Ghost of society
Muskies are striped and they have no spots. A northern pike has spots that are yellow, or whitish.
Muskies do resemble northern pike, but one big difference is a musky doesn't have any scales like a northern pike.
Forgot the names...
Northern pike; Esox lucius.
Musky; Esox masquinongy.
I have caught many northern pike in my time here in Alaska. I have only seen musky on fishing shows and pictures that some friends have. I also have heard some stories about fishing for musky and some of them say long hours without a bite, or long hours for only one bite.
Jackrabbit Slim
I have never caught a muskie, but I have caught enough pike that I think I could tell the difference. Pike have the horizontal rectangle pattern and a scalier head.
enufofthisshit
of course.
besides the obvious external differences that may or may not be confusing to the layman, the musky definitely has 7 or more spines in the dorsal fin and the pike has 7 or less. also the musky has 133 villi on the small intestine but it is necessary to kill the fish to prove this.
Andrew
Besides color differences and all I can tell you pike have a hinged jaw. I got another guess but I think thats the ticket no?