Muskie ID

[Jefferson]

Can I get a muskie ID on this one? Barred? Tiger? We weren't sure earlier today.

[bassmandan]

looks like a tiger to me

[robhj]

Definitely looks like a tiger. What lake did you catch it in? That would definitely help with confirming whether or not it's a tiger. The lake would have to have both muskies & pike in order for that fish to be a tiger. Otherwise, it's just a cool looking pike. Nice catch!

[Jefferson]

We were on St. Clair. By Gino's.

[robhj]

Yep, then I'd say a tiger.

[21XDC]

What a beauty!

[raisinrat]

100% Tiger Muskie sir nice catch

[DeanV]

The tail fins look like a pure musky. Check out this ID guide:

http://www.michiganmuskiealliance.org/project/know-the-difference/

[djkimmel]

Tail still looks slightly rounded to me. I'd lean towards hybrid muskie too looking at this fish. No real easy way to tell for sure.

[DeanV]

Agreed.  I think counting the submandibular pores is the only surefire way to tell and I do not recall anymore if there is overlap there or not as well.  I think the tiger has overlap in number with the pike but not the musky if I recall correctly.  Norther/barred musky vs tiger are tough for me to tell from pictures. 

[djkimmel]

Often tough to tell and I don't recall if the jaw pores can tell you a tiger muskie from a pike? I'd have to ask a biologist that question. I was looking at lots of pike tails today and most were not real rounded either. Lots of little pike.