Missouri River (Council Bluffs to state line) Blue Sucker. (including Lake of the Woods) are managed for muskellunge and hybrid (tiger) muskellunge totaling about 790,000 acres (Appendix A), which represents about 35% of accessible lake acreage in Minnesota. askinonge, tiger muskellunge (used for the muskellunge x northern pike hybrid). Muskellunge can and are often confused with northern pike, chain pickerel and even the pike/muskellunge hybrid–the tiger muskellunge in appearance and behavior. They will also feed readily on commercial fish feeds. Crossman’s case he co-authored the technical paper in Managing Muskies entitled “Identification of Muskellunge, Northern Pike and their Hybrids. Reference Aid. Many ponds develop populations of stunted bluegill, and adding more predators can help – provided that the right predator species is added. It has irregular, dark-colored vertical markings on a light background and long snout. Sailfish are a type of billfish that are distinguished by their long, sail-like dorsal fins. The lower gill cover and cheek of muskellunge lack scales (northern pike cheeks are fully scaled; hybrid cheeks are fully or 2/3 scaled) Chin pores, located on the right and left bottom surface of the lower jaw , will usually number 6 or 7, up to 10, per side on muskellunge. 54; 19 1994; Stillfishing Worm Saint Joseph River Berrien NORTHERN PIKE; 39 51. While it can occur naturally, most lakes and rivers have been stocked with tiger musky populations, as this fish species is both fast-growing and a tough fighter on the rod, making it a sought-after game. Northern pike have rounded tails. But what I want to know is if they are planning to stock any of these pike hybrids in lakes. Also be sure to have either a wire leader or a very heavy shock tippet. It has a long, slender body with a distinctive, duckbill-shaped snout and sharp teeth. 0 bath property. Best Soft Plastic Swimbait: Storm Wildeye Live Pike. If necessary, the muskie can withstand water temperatures up to 90 degrees F. Stocked hybrid Muskellunge lakes 3,130. Details. Northern Pike vs. Hybrid Bluegill Option. Dedicated muskie anglers start drooling once a “Fish of 10,000 Casts”. Although the male tiger muskellunge are sterile, females are often fertile and are capable of backcrossing (Becker 1983). 99. Wildlife-Associated Recreation 2011 Calendar Reference 1. Targets: Bass, Bluegills, Walleyes, and Channel Catfish. Musky It was in fact a hybrid “tiger” muskie (muskie-northern pike hybrid). These fish grow faster than pure muskellunge but do not grow as large. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. 4/2/10. masquinongy) and the northern pike (E. The ultimate potential for a world-class monster is found in the the St. The body is often quite silvery with brownish fins and tail, without spots but displays broken vertical markings. Wildlife-Associated Recreation 2011 Calendar Reference 1. The hybrids have relatively bigger heads. Wayne Joslin Winchester, KY: Private Lake, Clark County: 04/25/2007: Sunfish: Bluegill: 4. 3 oz. Savage Gear Hybrid. The DNR did a great job creating a blue ribbon St. It can be tough to fish from shore because the lake is in some rugged, mountainous countr. GameStop Moderna Pfizer Johnson & Johnson AstraZeneca Walgreens Best Buy Novavax SpaceX Tesla. If the waves are big enough to create a mudline, all the better. PIKE FAMILY Muskellunge Muskellunge have vertical dark bars on their sides and 6-8 pores on each side of the lower jaw. . 99. It was in fact a hybrid “tiger” muskie (muskie-northern pike hybrid). A tiger muskie is a hybrid between a muskellunge and a northern pike. 21 inches. Picture. If you pay attention, muskie guys—both fly and conventional—don’t let the fish run. The three muskie subspecies are adapted to their native areas, where their colors and markings provide them with camouflage. 8) 6/16/22 - 110,210 Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) (1. There are also some fish that appear to be natural pike/pickeral or pike/muskie hybrids that have unusual markings, so I'd be very leary of using the markings on the side to tell with certainty. This fact became obvious after a lengthy investigation culminating in 1979, when positive photographic proof in the form of a documented and authentic photograph was found by Rod Ramsell in Outdoor Life magazine archives, which conclusively illustrated that Knobla’s. Pike Identification Muskie and Pike are both long, pointy, freshwater fish. They can grow to over 40 inches in length and are stocked to control other fish species as they feed primarily on fish. Walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, muskellunge, black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, various suckers. Anyways – pike fishing is always something I’ve. All are sold in lengths from two to twenty inches. jim It appears to be a large Spicara smaris or Picarel not to be mixed up with Walleye. Incidentally, these eggs were taken about two weeks earlier than the muskie eggs collected from the state’s northern waters. FH-1& 2. They differ from a Northern Pike in the fact that, since they are a hybrid, they are sterile and can’t reproduce. This long-standing record was caught in the same body of water as the state record paddlefish (fun fact). This widely distributed fish is found throughout Minnesota in lakes, ponds and rivers, most often around aquatic vegetation in quiet slow-moving water. 10 inches. It is a cross between the Muskellunge and. 48 lbs. musky trolling lures. Check the stocking locations as well. This carnivorous fish lives in freshwater lakes and rivers ranging from Canada, the Northeast, and to the Midwest United States. lucius × E. Two varieties of pure strain, the Barred and the Spotted, as well as the Tiger, a hybrid of the Northern Pike and Barred Muskie. Pike/Tarpon Snake This is a crossover fly pattern that dominates as a northern pike fly. Turkeyfoot. Reference Aid. Muskies are also more willing to migrate long distances, both for spawning and hunting purposes. New Jersey regularly supplies Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Tiger Muskie, Hybrid Striped Bass and Channel Catfish to surrounding states. *Tiger Musky (Hybrid Northern Pike and Muskellunge) These toothy fish were stocked in 1976-77 in Copper Breaks State Park, Leon, Meridian State Park, Mill Creek Lake, Alcoa, Nocona and Raven) *Muskellunge (Musky) There was a total of 2,785. Pike, Northern (Esox lucius) Carl Stoltz, Bradford, PA 35 lb. The type species of the genus is Esox lucius, the northern pike. It's a Tiger Muskie(pike muskie hybrid) kind of suppirsing I know there are pike there but didnt know muskie as well. That’s a give away it’s a hybrid. I’ve caught more tiger muskie (pike/musky hybrids) than I have pike. FN. The length of muskie can say a lot about the age. This tiger muskie fish multiplies almost. The tiger muskie is a hybrid offspring of a pike and muskie and looks dramatically different than both species. Pike Identification. com - The #1 source in all of muskie fishing. The hybrid muskellunge is a cross-breed between a female northern pike and a male muskellunge. In addition to Muskellunge, a hybrid of Northern Pike and Muskellunge (known as the Tiger Muskellunge for the pronounced verticalTiger muskellunge. ’ These hybrids are sterile and grow faster than either of the species that produced them. The Chautauqua (or Ohio) Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy ohioinis) found in Chautauqua Lake and south into Ohio. Top tiger waters in New Jersey include Greenwood Lake, Lake Hopatcong, Furnace Lake, Manasquan Reservoir and the Delaware River, though tigers may also be found in Deal Lake, Shenandoah Lake and Rancocas Creek. Tionesta Lake is another U. Compared to pikes, muskies have a longer body and a broader head, which makes them appear more massive. Kokanee salmon (zooplankton, fall spawn). Hybrids are sterile, although females sometimes unsuccessfully engage in spawning motions. After more than 90 years, this legendary catch is STILL a Georgia State Record and tied as the World Record. 95. The rarity of tiger muskies comes from the fact that Mother Nature. . A previous list of Muskellunge waters was presented in the 2008 “Long Range Plan for Muskellunge and Large Northern Pike Management Through 2020. This aggressive sportfish is reported to be. A tiger muskie, which’s a hybrid between a muskie and northern pike, counts as a muskie because they share the same length range, regulations, and have the same dark vertical bars and dark irregular spots on olive-to-grey skin. It is a cross between the Muskellunge and. Townsend's 2-pound Line Class Record. Comes with a #3/0 stainless steel hook. 1366 Pike Rd , Capital, BC V9Z1A is currently not for sale. The tiger muskie is the hybrid offspring of the muskellunge and northern pike. Gamefish species (bass, northern pike, other muskellunge, and walleye) are of less importance, totaling about 8% of the diet. Koi - Hybrid Striped Bass - Black Crappie - Walleye - Yellow Perch - Northern Pike - Muskie - Channel Catfish: Other Species: (Other species not normally on-hand may be available through special request) For sizes, prices, delivery information or questions on any of our fish, call us at 660-423-5482. MuskieFIRST. For under $50, this is the strongest, most versatile, and best-performing pike rod. Both pike and pickerel can have a range of colors and marking. It is produced in hatcheries throughout North America and is commonly stocked as a biological control for unwanted fish species. . Its large size and ferocity when it finally decides to take a lure attracts passionate anglers. By providing you with relevant context about these fish, we will delve into the possibility of their interbreeding. Pat Ehlers' Midnight Sun. One is the pure strain muskellunge and the other is the tiger muskellunge, which is a sterile hybrid of a northern pike and muskellunge. Their elusive nature and ability to reach sizes in excess of 40 pounds makes them one of the most sought-after game fish in the waters they call home. Advertisement. If you flip your catch over (carefully!) and count five or fewer pores on each side of the jaw, it's a pike. Muskie vs Pike: Caudal Fin. , Len Thompson #4, and Williams C80 and C90 Whitefish are all top choices. " Advertisement. Skok's Mushmouth Fly. This home was built in 1981 and last sold on for. There is also a hybrid called the Tiger muskellunge (or Tiger Muskie). Hybrid of a pike and Muskie. On tiger muskie the head is about 1/2 the size of the body. masquinongy x E. Many of these fish populations are available as a result of the division's stocking programs. Tail: Walleye have a white patch on the lower fin of their tail. Thanks to their popularity among anglers they. Shimano is known for its attention to detail and high standards for build quality. Hartel et al. The tiger muskellunge is the hybrid offspring of a true female muskie and a male northern pike. masquinongy; tiger muskie hybrid (male northern pike X fe male muskellunge); and walleye, Stizostedion vitreumvitreum. ” The muskellunge plays a starring. Starting at $12. “Pike Fishing: The Practice and the. Size: Walleye are larger than Sauger. Billings MT. The tiger muskie (Esox masquinongy × lucius or Esox lucius × masquinongy) is the sterile, hybrid offspring of a muskie and a northern pike. Louis River muskie fishery. Which is double impressive when you consider they share the same family as the vaunted northern pike and muskellunge. gov. For pickerel and pike, 8- to 12-pound test spinning gear is ideal. The first is what many consider a "blue pike" as its color is definately blue. Tiger muskies are very rare in nature because they’re sterile and can’t reproduce on their own but due to their stout genetics, they grow larger faster than either of their parent species. These hybrids are sterile. DNR hatcheries produce 16 different fish species for stocking throughout Indiana. Next page. The tiger muskellunge ( Esox masquinongy × lucius or Esox lucius × masquinongy ), [1] commonly called tiger muskie, is a carnivorous fish, and is the usually sterile, hybrid. The tiger muskellunge is a hybrid (E. 8 11. Travel to Lone Star Lake. The Tiger Musky is a gigantic fish, and in fact the largest member of the Esox family. Lower jaw. producing “tiger muskellunge”. ” Related Species. Multi-Year Fishing Licenses–page 5 FishandBoat. Our favorite budget pike fishing pole is the Shimano FX Casting Rod. 4/2/10. Common Names: Muskellunge, musky, muskie, lunge, Wisconsin muskellunge, northern muskellunge, maskinonge, tiger muskellunge (used for the muskellunge/northern pike hybrid). Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) Lewis Walker, Jr. Lander - Tiger muskie are a sterile hybrid cross between northern pike and muskellunge. This big lake is the home of the current state-record muskie, a 50 1/2-inch 55-pound, 3. Rainbow Trout (including Golden Rainbow Trout) 4 pounds. The muskellunge (also called a muskie) is the uncommon but highly sought cousin of the northern pike. Is a Muskie the same as a Pike? A Muskie is a part of the Pike family, so it is technically the same as a Pike. August 24, 2016 By Steve Quinn. Pike-chain pickerel hybrids are well documented in Maine. When they do, they will often wait until the lure is close to the fishing boat. first Saturday in May until midnight December 31, on the portion of the Delaware River. of 2 to 5 days. Pike, musky, and tiger musky. 75 pounds (Anna Marsh, 1997). of Fishing, Hunting and. Tiger Muskies grow quickly, but don’t live long. masquinongy) produced when a male E. Flymen Chocklett's Hybrid Game Changer Fly. Crab has 22 islands and a lot more subsurface structure, with the honest potential to hold a 50-pounder in its crystal-clear waters. Horizontal patter, pike. A list of links to print your own trophy fish award certificates. "This lake has seen higher catch rates for muskies in recent years and, according to biologists in that area, in numbers and size of muskies it is hard to beat. This page, Best bets for trophy pike, pickerel, and tiger muskellunge , is offered by Division of Fisheries and Wildlife; show more; Best bets for trophy pike. Big spoons with plenty of flash work best here. Generally musky possess 6 to 9 pair of sensory pores, where as northern pike usually have 5 pair and chain pickerel usually. Courtesy of Muskies are known as the “fish of 10,000 casts,” and it’s a fitting nickname. This hybrid can occur naturally in lakes where both parent species are found, however they are usually raised in hatcheries for stocking purposes. Fish and Game released about 1,000. Tiger muskellunge are sometimes produced. Very cool fish Reply Objective_Buyer7425. , 1989). Anglers targeting stripers, monster rainbow trout, walleye, pike, musky, and of course, trophy largemouth, should have several variations of this amazing lure in their tackle box. Along with the coloration differences on the body and tail, the shape of the tail is also an indicator of what species it is. Enjoy! Tiger Muskie Ahh the famed tiger muskie. Hybrid bluegill have limited reproduction 80-90 percent males as a result of the hybrid cross. 06 pounds (Boyd O. Pike and muskie crossbreeding is most common in shallow, fertile lakes that warm quickly, simultaneously triggering both species to spawn. The hybrid musky program is the newest of the pike family introductions in Iowa. Quick Answer: 10 Best Pike Lures. $9. The largest muskie ever caught in Alabama weighed 19 lbs 8 oz and was caught in 1972 by Steve Leatherwood. Tiger muskellunge are reared in hatcheries and stocked in many Twin Cities area lakes. Keep in mind that these aren't the only places to try your luck. 7 inches) until 2014. MUSKELLUNGE and MUSKELLUNGE HYBRIDS: Open year-round: 40 inches: 1: PICKEREL: 12 inches: 5: WALLEYE: Open year-round on the portion of the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania; January 1 until midnight, March 14 and 12:01 a. Louis: the Leech Lake strain, the Wisconsin strain, the Leech-Wisconsin cross and the tiger muskie — a northern pike/muskie hybrid. The tiger muskie is the hybrid of the northern pike and muskie. Lawrence, 60-inch fish seem to be a real, if remote, possibility. Non-native . 19 lbs. Muskies can breed with northern pike, producing a sterile hybrid called a tiger muskie. Our staff then grow the tiger muskie until they are big enough to stock in several. 8 of theTiger muskies are a sterile hybrid cross between a muskellunge (or true muskie) and a northern pike. by which to differentiate musky from northern pike and chain pickerel. Muskie and pike are both freshwater predatory fish, but they have distinct differences. The tiger muskie is a hybrid resulting from the cross of a northern pike and a muskellunge. Tiger Muskie, like Pike and Muskellunge, have long. about 15% of the diet. lucius × masquinongy) is a hybrid of the muskie and northern pike. Tiger muskellunge are a hybrid cross between northern pike and muskellunge. The most obvious include horizontal spotted pattern (pike) vs. Sunfish, Warmouth 1 lbs. Through this exploration, you will gain a better understanding of the reproductive capabilities of these fish species. Smallmouth Bass. 0 oz. Starting at $9. They differ from a Northern Pike in the fact. , 1989). Previously categorized Muskellunge (MUE) and hybrid Muskellunge (TME) waters not included in the actively managed Muskellunge waters, 2016. Bass, Largemouth. Cryptostate records for selected categories. With its slow sink rate and wide wafting tail, X-Rap Otus is the ideal choice for cold water & challenging conditions. Vary retrieve speeds depending on water clarity, depth, and structure to give yourself the best opportunity. Yes, it is possible to get an approximate weight for many species of fish by measuring their lengths. The state record, a 37-pound, 14-ounce specimen, was caught at Curlew Lake in late July of 2014 by avid tiger muskie angler David Hickman of Richland, but many serious tiger muskie fans release their catches and larger fish have been. Tiger Muskie are a hybrid of a female Muskellunge and a male Northern Pike. July 30. " For those who don't know, the tiger muskie is another term for a hybrid muskie that is a blend of a northern pike and a muskellunge. A cross of northern pike males and muskellunge females produces a hybrid known as the tiger muskellunge. A Tiger Muskie is a Northern Pike and Muskellunge (muskie) hybrid. Tiger Muskie are a hybrid of a female Muskellunge and a male Northern Pike. of Fishing, Hunting and. Game That People HuntMuskie (Hybrid) Rainbow Trout Yellow Perch Large Mouth Bass Northern Pike Popular Minnesota Fish Species See the Twin Cities Water Recreataion Map for metro information The MN Department of Health gives advice for eating fish from over 300 locations. When muskellunge and northern pike interbreed, they produce a sterile hybrid cross called a tiger muskellunge. Looking at some of the numbers of surplus fish and eggs given away this spring, one might say that 100,000 Tiger Muskies to New York or 100,000 Northern Pike fry to Connecticut seems a bit much. Richard V. FH-3. Tiger muskie are the hybrid of the Muskellunge and Northern Pike, and do not typically occur in nature in the native range of Muskellunge and Northern Pike, and will not occur in Colorado without being stocked. This tried and true lure consistently takes fish of all species, and has been a staple in musky fishing for many years. I think the chain pickerel and muskie hybrid would be a good fish to start stocking, especially if they can tolerate warmer water temps. These apex predators have unlimited forage of up to 6 to 8 inches in length. Trophy Trout Group: Members Posts: 687 Member No. Irregular spots/stripes – Tiger muskie can have patterns that seem to start spotted then go striped, or vice-versa, or even mix the two across the body. Larger Fish are Always Female – Like their close relatives, the pike, Muskie females are the larger of the sexes. A new, unique and toothy fishing opportunity awaits anglers in Southwest Idaho. CryptoThe overall Northern Pike record is from Germany where Lothar Louis landed a 55-pound 1-ounce pike on October 16, 1986. 3 Quote; Link to comment. Pattern never resembles that of a northern pike. Sunfish, Longear 1/2 lbs. Posts: 3: Recently fished a lake that stated there was no northern pike , caught this guy. A key difference between the two however lies in the giant section. The tiger muskie, a sterile hybrid of a female northern pike and a male muskellunge, has been used by state fish and game programs as a means to control populations of panfish while also creating trophy fisheries. masquinongy × lucius or E. This top-of-the-foodchain predator loves eating anything it can find. Pike, also called northern pike or jackfish, are characterized by their long bodies and toothy mouths. Sauger tails are the same pattern all over. Esox has been present in Laurentia (which later became North America) and Eurasia since the Paleocene. The trap-netting of walleye, northern pike, and muskellunge is the foundation for what are now three of the most successful fisheries in New Jersey. For the 2011 National Survey . According to the story in the Idaho Statesman, Thomas and her family. Top to bottom is Pickerel, Pike-Pickerel Hybrid, and Pike. 12 ounces. vertical lines (musky), rounded tail fins (pike) vs. I might have to give it a go sometime. The hatchery also houses largemouth bass and bluegill. 87 lbs. 63 lbs. Game That People HuntFish out 5 bits of old backlash from the bottom of Lone Star Lake and make your own invisible line that’ll be thin and murky enough to trick into biting a sharp-sighted monster like the Mad-Eye Buffalo! 1. Reference Aid. If you make an outstanding catch, it may qualify for a Game and Parks Commission Master Angler Award. In early October, angler Hailey Thomas set a new Idaho state catch-and-release record with a 36-inch rainbow trout/cutthroat trout hybrid—commonly called a cutbow. June 2, 1932. 3 oz. Content last updated in November 2023. I’ve found this to be a fairly robust rule. HYBRID STRIPED BASS (freshwater only) Hybrid Striped Bass Open year round Statewide (exceptions below) 16 inches 2 March 1–Dec. My husband Matt caught 3 large keeper (over 40"). You can find them in the rivers of BC in August and September. March 2, 2021 by Pike Fishing Fanatic. Pike or Musky? - Fishing Forum- Fishing Lake Simcoe, Fishing Reports, Ice Conditions, Ice Hut Rentals, Marinas, Tackle Shops & More! Lake Simcoe Outdoors - Fishing Forum. Biologists recognize that hybridization between freshwater fish is more common than for any other type of vertebrate. They’re very rare in the wild, but they are stocked in some waters. A tiger muskie isn’t an actual sub-species but a hybrid. 9 inches. Class A Muskellunge Pike 43 lbs. Here, you can enjoy the best Canada has to offer when it comes to lake trout, northern pike, and Arctic grayling fishing. Pike. Details. These sterile hybrids are spawned in hatcheries. Specifically, the fish is a sterile cross between the northern pike and the. 5 inches, 8. Muskellunge: (Musky) There was a total of 2,785 stocked in Amsted, Copper Breaks State Park and Inks Lake. The biggest fish ever caught in Colorado was a tiger muskie. Upper Mississippi River for panfish and walleye. lucius) is the most encountered hybrid within Esox. Similar Species. The tiger, an interspecific hybrid in fisheries lingo, begins its life in a stainless steel bowl, the spawn of either a male muskie and a female northern pike, or vice versa. (used for the muskellunge/northern pike hybrid). Spawning occurs in a 65. The second is a silver pike, a bit unusual as its color is alternating rows of black/grey and silver. 9 inches. Posts: 3: Recently fished a lake that stated there was no northern pike , caught this guy. Phil Conyers Madisonville, KY: Strip mine lake Hopkins County: 08/05/1980: Crappie (White or Black) 4. Massive Pike Bay is typically full of walleyes from the spawn through mid-June. Available in a white/red or chartreuse color pattern, this fly works particularly well wherever pike are found. The BLC financially supported the purchase of these feeders. These fish are incredibly rare, and the most reliable way to find out about them is to talk to a fishing guide in an area with both pickerel and pike for several decades. Tiger muskies are the cross between muskellunge and northern pike. Game That People HuntThe best times to fish in Minnesota are early morning and late evening. The third is the silver pike/muskellunge hybrid I mentioned above. Tiger Muskellunge ( [Esox masquinongy × lucius), commonly called Tiger Muskie, is a hybrid of the Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) and the Northern Pike (Esox lucius). Like their parent, they eat any fish they can. 30 lbs. For the 2011 National Survey . Gamefish species (bass, northern pike, other muskellunge, and walleye) are of less importance, totaling about 8% of the diet. The fish measured 55 inches in length, about 10 inches longer than the upper end of the range for average muskellunge. " The lake averages just 10 feet, with its deepest spot only 23 feet deep. In northern pike and muskellunge, the head length is about one-quarter of the total body length. The northern pike, often called “pike,” is a popular game fish in North America, Europe, and Asia. It made a solid upstream bid, I tightened the drag; it turned and went as deep as it could and down. Game That People HuntBusiness, Economics, and Finance. Pike have fairly rounded caudal fin lobes while muskie have much more pointed lobes. For muskies, lines of 15-pound test and greater are often necessary. Sunfish, including bluegills, redear, green sunfish, and pumpkinseed, readily hybridize, particularly in altered habitats, where spawning areas are limited, or when one. Starting at $22. Ed Payne's 32-inch tiger muskie, caught in the same area as the hybrid above, shows the diversity of fish awaiting anglers in the lower Raritan. With a muskie population of about . This fact became obvious after a lengthy investigation culminating in 1979, when positive photographic proof in the form of a documented and authentic photograph was found by Rod Ramsell in Outdoor Life magazine archives, which conclusively illustrated that Knobla’s. C) All northern pike taken must be 24" in. 1986; Wahl and Stein 1988), although when soft-rayed and spiny-rayed species of the same size were present, muskellunge showed no significant se- lection between available prey species. These fish grow larger than both pike and musky. Although some natural production does occur. They have scales only on the upper half of the cheek. Reference Aid. NORTHERN PIKE, TIGER MUSKY, MUSKELLUNGE* Northern Pike Open year round March 20–May 20 are Catch & Release only for Echo Lake Reservoir, Mercer Lake, Mountain Lake, 1 combined. For under $50, this is the strongest, most versatile, and best-performing pike rod. The Indiana DNR does not provide fish for private ponds. There are a few ways to tell the fish apart. A tiger muskie, which is actually a hybrid between northern pike and muskellunge, counts as a muskie for length, bag and possession limits, and has dark. Muskie vs.