fish id: pike or tiger muskie

[saxmatt]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

Thats a tiger.. they almost always have vertical bar markings as that one does.. Pike are always spotted to some extent.. I have caught both here in NY state, and would say you caught a tiger muskie... Can't say I have ever seen a pike with those distinct vertical bars.. At least here in NY, they are always mostly spotted

I have seen lots of juvenile pike with barring. The bars break up into spots when the get older.

[NorthJerzyG]

Did you catch it somewhere that has both? Could make it easy to tell......

[tjc76]

Passaic. most likely a pike. just looking at pics online, I did not see one with barring. let alone silver in color. fish was no longer than 13 inches, so most likely a pike as I don't believe tigers have been stocked in a number of years, although it could have been an aquarium release.

[saxmatt]

Do a google image search for "juvenile pike"

One million percent sure a pike, not a muskie.....

[basspilot]

That's a jevenile pike for sure. Its very healthy looking and the fins are in great shape which could be a reason it might of led you to believe with that coloring it mightve been a tiger. None the less nice fish.

[Skunk City]

Juvi Pike. They have some crazy gorgeous patterns when they are young. Good looking fish.

[catfishonthelake]

It's a juvenile pike. That does not even vaguely resemble a juvenile tiger.

[jimmythegreek]

as said its a baby pike, the small tigers look a bit different, the small pike can have crazy color bars, as they mature they will spot off.

[vinntastic]

I say pickerel..