Name that Fish.

[aut0]

So, full disclosure, I have no idea why I never posted this in the forums. I caught this thing in Indian Creek, WV, about 3 years ago. Anybody know what species this is? My GUESS was a Tiger Musky, but I honestly have no idea. It could've been a dragon for all I know. Strange looking thing, when you've caught almost-exclusively smallmouth all your life.

Thanks!!!

-aut0

[shimmy]

pickeral?

 

[Bluebasser86]

It's a juvenile muskie or maybe a tiger muskie. My money is going towards it being a regular muskie. I've caught a few that were similar sized. 

[aut0]

Niiiiice, nice, nice. He was quite yellow, in color. I know the pic doesn't portray that, but you know. Definitely looking similar. I think the Pickerel and the Muskie must be pretty close relatives.

[Bluebasser86]

They're in the same family, just on opposite ends of the size spectrum. Obviously there's different kinds of pickerel, but from my limited experience with them, they're quite a bit differently colored than that fish.

[aut0]

Hmm... The outside-of-the-gills on that pickerel look funny; striped-ish. Wonder if that's a factor in identification.

[bird-dog]

It is a Juvenile Tiger Muskie.

Pickerel and Muskie are all in the Pike family.

[paangler13]

tiger musky.

 

Jim

[MassBass]

Thats not a pickerel or a pike. Its got to be a musky. 

[IndianaFinesse]

Looks like a juvenile musky to me.  Tiger muskie have larger bars and pickerel are usually darker and have smaller, but more numerous spots.

[Ratherbfishing]

Love the markings on that fish.  Either a Musky or a Tiger Musky.

[River Dave]

Yearling muskie

[Crestliner2008]

I'm leaning toward the tiger musky as well.

[aut0]

Awesome feedback. Glad I was at least in the ballpark.

[Darren.]

Definitely not a pickerel. Plenty of those around here
and I've caught them all sizes. That ain't it.

[Hurricane]

Beautiful fish....