The Tiger Muskie is a sterile hybrid of the true Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) and the Northern Pike (Esox lucius).
Source: N.M. Department of Wildlife (via Facebook)
Photos: Courtesy
The Tiger Muskellunge is famously known as the “fish of 10,000 casts.” Commonly called Tiger Muskie, these elusive apex predators can grow to over 50 inches long and weigh more than 30 pounds.
The Tiger Muskie is a sterile hybrid of the true Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) and the Northern Pike (Esox lucius). Their body shape allows them to accelerate rapidly to ambush and capture their prey. Tiger Muskie have a mixture of dark vertical stripes and spots over a light olive-grey body, but the patterning can be pronounced or muted depending on the habitat they frequent.
Tiger Muskie can have up to 700 razor-sharp teeth! Bring a large, rubber knotless landing net and a strong leader line (30-50 lb test) when targeting these fish. Popular baits to catch Tiger Muskie include large bucktail spinners, bass spinnerbaits, swim baits and glide baits. The harvest limit for Tiger Muskie is ONE fish over 40 inches, so make sure to bring a tape measure.
The Department first introduced Tiger Musky into Bluewater and Quemado Lakes in 2003 to help control overabundant populations of White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) and Goldfish (Carassius auratus). Goldfish and White Sucker negatively impact aquatic ecosystems if their populations are not kept in check. Since the introduction of Tiger Muskie, we have seen a significant decline in the populations of Goldfish and White Sucker in these two lakes! This corresponding reduction in Goldfish and White Sucker abundance has also helped improve our Rainbow Trout populations and revived the population from historic lows.
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