Quesiton on fins

[HugoBox]

Why do some muskies have such red fins and some don't? I noticed that the fish I've seen recently have less red than those seen when the temps were much higher. Does that make sense?

thanks - Erik

[RK]

Hey Erik -

Sort of a tough question actually. It depends... Sometimes it's just the fish's coloration. Some lakes really have reddish-tinted fish (Rainy Lake comes to mind). Other times it's as you suggest - lots of blood flow to the tail from exertion. The red in the tail on fish in warm water is really noticeable right at the base of the tail - if you look at the base of the scales and see little red blood spots, it's a very bad sign. Those are bursting capillaries. It's one of the things I watch for to cue me in that a fish is getting stressed out. Sometimes that includes the tail itself...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[HugoBox]

Thanks Rob - I kind of thought it may be related to exertion.

[TomWehler]

Always figured the red color was from being a MEAT EATER!

Saw a musky fish once...cast me a lure...caught it..fun time.

Being an average Joe, I let it go, so someday as it grows it will bug you to at the end of yer throw.

Life is good.