How to Tell the Difference Between a Muskie & Northern Pike
- 1). Look at the fish's coloring. A muskie has dark markings on a light background, while a northern pike has light markings on a dark background.
- 2). Examine the fins. A northern pike has rounded fins, while a musky has more-pointed fins.
- 3). Look at the scales on the cheek. A muskie has prominent scales on the upper half of the cheek and operculum (the gill cover), while a northern pike has scales that cover the entire cheek and upper half of the operculum.
- 4). Count the pores on the underside of the jaw. A musky has six to nine sensory pores on each side of its lower jaw, while a northern pike has fewer than six.
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