The Tiger Muskellunge
The tiger muskellunge (Esox masquinongy X Esox lucius) is a prized sport fish found in a few areas of western New York. A tiger muskellunge is a sterile hybrid between a northern pike and a muskellunge. Tiger muskellunge typically range between 24 and 40 inches in length and can be identified by the barred pattern on their body, reddish brown fins, large size, and toothy mouth. Tiger muskellunge always have a barred pattern, reminiscent of a tiger’s stripes. The stripes on a tiger musky are always darker than the bulk color of its body.
Tiger musky can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from true muskellunge and perhaps northern pike. The easiest way to tell a tiger muskellunge from a northern pike is by its color pattern. Tiger muskellunge will always have vertical bars that are darker than its bulk color. Northern pike never have a barred color pattern, but instead have oblong spots that are lighter than their bulk color. The easiest way to distinguish between a tiger musky and a true musky is by the shape of its tail fin. True muskies have a pointed fail fin, while the tips of a tiger musky’s tail are rounded.
Habitat
Tiger muskellunge usually roam big water and are therefore found in lakes, rivers, and large creeks. To support an apex predator like the tiger muskellunge, a lake or river needs a large forage base. In lakes, tiger musky typically cruise the weed line or submerged weed beds, feeding on fish that venture too far out of the cover of the weeds. Tiger musky can sometimes be found just inside the weed lines ambushing prey.
Tiger muskie also inhabit large, warm-water creeks and rivers and they do well in the deep, sluggish sections of large creeks. Tiger musky will often seek cover around submerged trees or in deep undercut banks.
Food
Tiger musky are voracious and opportunistic predators. A tiger muskellunge’s diet will primarily consist of fish. Tiger muskellunge probably eat anything among chubs, suckers, and sunfish including bass. Tiger musky will probably also eat other animals including frogs or even ducklings.
Where to Catch Tiger Musky
Tiger muskellunge only inhabit a few lakes and rivers in western New York. Because tiger muskellunge are sterile, they cannot reproduce naturally. This means that tiger muskellunge can only be found where they are stocked or where musky and northern pike coexist and can breed with each other.
Interestingly enough, musky and pike seem to have a difficult time coexisting. First off, a very large forage base is needed to support two top predators like musky and pike. Second, northern pike usually outcompete musky and can replace them in an ecosystem, becoming the apex predator.
Tiger muskellunge can be found in the Niagara River and Lake Chautauqua where they are born naturally through pure strain interbreeding. Tiger muskellunge can also be found in Lime Lake where they are stocked.
How to Catch Tiger Musky
Tiger musky can be caught on both live bait and artificial lures. Good live bait includes large chubs or 8 to 10 inch suckers fished under a float. When fishing live bait, targeting weed lines is probably the best strategy.
Popular artificial lures for tiger musky include large stick or jerk baits 6 to 12 inches in length and oversized inline spinners. Tiger musky can be taken either by trolling or casting. When trolling, spread the water column to cover as much water as possible. Good places to focus when trolling are (unsurprisingly) weed lines. In order to entice a tiger musky, you may need to troll at a relatively fast pace.
Stick baits, jerk baits, and inline spinners can also be fished by casting. Cast your bait as far as possible and vary your retrieval. Rumor has it that presentation is key. Covering water is crucial when tiger musky fishing.
