IS this a musky

[ac777]

The fish on the right looks a bit like a musky from the vertical bars, not being real familiar with musky's, I would like confirmation. Thanks

[Brad B]

my guess would be it is a tiger muskie(cross between northern and musky). was the tail forked or did it have rounded edges on the fins.

[ac777]

Well, I couldnt tell ya on the tail, I chopped the pic out of a video, I know that would be a for sure way to tell between the 2, but I thought maybe one of the "pro's" on here could tell by the sides. The lake is not known to have muskies in it, as it's in Alaska, but I guess crazier things have happened.

[waterbound]

That's a pike. I'd bet a million dollars on it. The fish has light markings on a dark background. The DNR regulations state that juvenile pike have "white, oblique bars which extend from the white belly". Every pike under 10" that I have caught had bars like that, so far as I can remember. Another option would be to count the pores on the underside of the jaw, 5 or fewer and it's a pike.

[MeyersBros]

Another option would be to count the pores on the underside of the jaw, 5 or fewer and it's a pike.

Best way to tell....The fact that it's on a lake that is only known to have pike I would only assume thats what it was.

[ac777]

That's a pike. I'd bet a million dollars on it. The fish has light markings on a dark background. The DNR regulations state that juvenile pike have "white, oblique bars which extend from the white belly". Every pike under 10" that I have caught had bars like that, so far as I can remember. Another option would be to count the pores on the underside of the jaw, 5 or fewer and it's a pike.

a million dollars eh?

Ha, no I think the case is closed, Thanks Waterbound, wasnt sure just wanted clarifiation.

[jwmiller33]

waterbound is right... its a pike... pike have a dark background with light markings while muskies have a light background with dark markings

[waterbound]

No problem, I've caught little pike like that in the Boundary Waters where there isn't a musky for miles and wondered what it could be until I read that part in the regulations.

[tweedlap]

It is a northern. Does not look like a musky whatsoever.

The markings a very distinct.

Looks a little like WC Fields ! "Why don't you stop over

ans show me your Musky some time?"

tweed

[Musky Buck]

Nort. I've seen that phase before.

[RK]

From time to time you can get juvenile pike with very distinct bars on them like the one in the photo. Plus no muskies in Alaska whatsoever.

Where were you in Alaska? Guided on the Iditarod. Innoko, and up around the Kayuh Flats back in the day...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[ac777]

From time to time you can get juvenile pike with very distinct bars on them like the one in the photo. Plus no muskies in Alaska whatsoever.

Where were you in Alaska? Guided on the Iditarod. Innoko, and up around the Kayuh Flats back in the day...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

The pic was taken SW of anchorage, on Lake Clark.

Heres my cousins promo video, which is where I got the picture in the original post.

[Zelmsdawg]

Cool video. Makes me want to go...now if only there were some muskies up there...

Zelmsdawg

[harvey lee]

Yep, a slimer.