Muskellunge, tiger
(Esox masquinongy x Esox lucius)
(Esox masquinongy x Esox lucius)
ESOCIDAE FAMILY
The tiger musky is a hybrid produced when a male northern pike (Esox lucius) fertilizes the eggs spawned by a female muskellunge (E. masquinongy). Consequently, it is conceivable that one might find a tiger musky anywhere that both muskellunge and northern pike occur together, though it is not a common fish anywhere. They may also be found in areas where they have been introduced, but such populations are naturally self limiting since the tiger musky is sterile and cannot reproduce.
It should not be confused with the true muskellunge which has long been called tiger musky in Minnesota. In most respects, notably in size and appearance, the hybrid is very much like the true muskellunge and anglers universally hold it in equal, and often higher, esteem than the true musky because of its rarity, its beautiful markings and its game nature. It differs from the true muskellunge most noticeably in the markings on its sides. The true musky may have either bars or spots on the sides or no markings at all, but it is rarely as strikingly beautiful as the tiger musky with its wavering tiger stripes.
For many years the tiger musky was believed to be a separate species until scientists succeeded in crossing a northern pike with a muskellunge to discover its true origin. Today it is one of the most prized freshwater catches that an angler can make. Most tiger muskies are either released or mounted, but some are also eaten
The tiger musky is a hybrid produced when a male northern pike (Esox lucius) fertilizes the eggs spawned by a female muskellunge (E. masquinongy). Consequently, it is conceivable that one might find a tiger musky anywhere that both muskellunge and northern pike occur together, though it is not a common fish anywhere. They may also be found in areas where they have been introduced, but such populations are naturally self limiting since the tiger musky is sterile and cannot reproduce.
It should not be confused with the true muskellunge which has long been called tiger musky in Minnesota. In most respects, notably in size and appearance, the hybrid is very much like the true muskellunge and anglers universally hold it in equal, and often higher, esteem than the true musky because of its rarity, its beautiful markings and its game nature. It differs from the true muskellunge most noticeably in the markings on its sides. The true musky may have either bars or spots on the sides or no markings at all, but it is rarely as strikingly beautiful as the tiger musky with its wavering tiger stripes.
For many years the tiger musky was believed to be a separate species until scientists succeeded in crossing a northern pike with a muskellunge to discover its true origin. Today it is one of the most prized freshwater catches that an angler can make. Most tiger muskies are either released or mounted, but some are also eaten