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

pickeral?

 

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. 

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.

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.

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

It is a Juvenile Tiger Muskie.

Pickerel and Muskie are all in the Pike family.

tiger musky.

 

Jim

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

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

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

Yearling muskie

I'm leaning toward the tiger musky as well.

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

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

Beautiful fish....