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Tips to distinguish Pike from Muskie

anamod

By anamod
in Bowfishing/Spearing - MN

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anamod Contributor

anamod

Posted
Posted

I'm relatively new to spearing and have never speared on a lake with muskies and am going to mille lacs in Jan to spear with a buddy. The last thing we want to do is spear a Muskie by accident. We both agree if we can't tell the what it is we won't throw, but are just looking for some tips on what people look for to distinguish them from above. Thanks

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pushbutton Grand Master

pushbutton

Posted
Posted

They are not going to be traffic cone orange, but would agree they will be at the least "rusty" as compared to the green and white of pike. Ultimately, spend some time out there first....if doing so, it will not be hard to tell.

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merkman Grand Master

merkman

Posted
Posted

This should help

Potential fines for spearing a muskie:

Spearing a muskie - $175+ law library fee and restitution*

Restitution for muskie:

-$40 per fish under 30”

-$200 per fish between 30”- 40”

-$500 per fish between 40”- 50”

-$1,000 per fish if over 50” plus an extra $100 per inch over 50”

In addition, any gear used to ta

e the fish could be confiscated (such as rods/reels, spears).

License revocation is a possibility if two or more convictions in a 3 year period, or if restitution value is over $500.

Public conviction record for the offender.

Bottom Line... if you don't know don't throw....

Besides that muskies have dark markings on a light background.

While northerns have light markings on a dark background.

the light background of a muskie will make it "glow" in the hole.... much like a white or silver decoy "glows" in the hole... this reflection is most pronounced in less clear lakes where a muskie will have a "halo" around it since the light is reflecting off the muskie and illuminating the algae and other particles in the water

Northerns will be dark and "shadowy" from the top without the halo.

the other thing to look for is the beak and the fins on a muskie are much more pointy and sharp edged.

Northern pike have a more rounded beak and fins.

The last tip i would have is that generally speaking muskies don't decoy as well as northerns... muskies are generally always on the move through the hole... they may decoy up and remain still but generally that is an exception not the rule.

Also... did I mention..... if you are not 100% sure... don't throw the spear???? :-)

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mrklean Grand Master

mrklean

Posted
Posted

Go on youtube and do some searching I know there are videos out there that have muskie coming into the spear hole those will help.

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anamod Contributor

anamod

Posted
  • Author
Posted

This should help

Potential fines for spearing a muskie:

Spearing a muskie - $175+ law library fee and restitution*

Restitution for muskie:

-$40 per fish under 30”

-$200 per fish between 30”- 40”

-$500 per fish between 40”- 50”

-$1,000 per fish if over 50” plus an extra $100 per inch over 50”

In addition, any gear used to ta

e the fish could be confiscated (such as rods/reels, spears).

License revocation is a possibility if two or more convictions in a 3 year period, or if restitution value is over $500.

Public conviction record for the offender.

Bottom Line... if you don't know don't throw....

Besides that muskies have dark markings on a light background.

While northerns have light markings on a dark background.

the light background of a muskie will make it "glow" in the hole.... much like a white or silver decoy "glows" in the hole... this reflection is most pronounced in less clear lakes where a muskie will have a "halo" around it since the light is reflecting off the muskie and illuminating the algae and other particles in the water

Northerns will be dark and "shadowy" from the top without the halo.

the other thing to look for is the beak and the fins on a muskie are much more pointy and sharp edged.

Northern pike have a more rounded beak and fins.

The last tip i would have is that generally speaking muskies don't decoy as well as northerns... muskies are generally always on the move through the hole... they may decoy up and remain still but generally that is an exception not the rule.

Also... did I mention..... if you are not 100% sure... don't throw the spear???? :-)

Those fine amounts are laughable. They should be a lot higher if you ask me.

We 100% agree if we can't tell we are not throwing just looking for some pointers.

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Gordie Grand Master

Gordie

Posted
Posted

Simple really, IF YOU DONT KNOW, DONT THROW

yes the hole will light orangeish and the markings on the body are definite give away,

most pike will come in hot or stage in real slow most all the Muskie I have had the pleasure of seeing in the spear hole have cruised threw with out so much as a look at the decoy and have hugged the bottom of the lake.

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merkman Grand Master

merkman

Posted
Posted

Quote:
Those fine amounts are laughable. They should be a lot higher if you ask me.

$1,000 + laughable... I want your job...

kill a muskie with a hook and line.... throw it overboard and keep on fishing....

now that fine is laughable.....

.

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anamod Contributor

anamod

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Merkman,

You can gladly have my job! wink

I just feel that if my friends and I weren't ethical we would have no problem paying 1,000+ if we had the chance at a 50+ inch muskie and money was the only ramifications for the actions . The amount should be higher and loss of license for a long time 5-10 years. We follow the guidelines and since we are relatively new to spearing we wanted to learn more prior to heading out

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merkman Grand Master

merkman

Posted
Posted

Merkman,

You can gladly have my job! wink

I just feel that if my friends and I weren't ethical we would have no problem paying 1,000+ if we had the chance at a 50+ inch muskie and money was the only ramifications for the actions . The amount should be higher and loss of license for a long time 5-10 years. We follow the guidelines and since we are relatively new to spearing we wanted to learn more prior to heading out

A 50 inch muskie aint worth a $1,000 fine and an arrest record.

By the time you are done with restitution it is cheaper to kill an eagle..... not that I EVER would do eiher.

.

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