Tiger or Natural
fins355
Posted 9/18/2019 12:43 PM (#946961)
Subject: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 280


Interesting article...I wonder who agrees with Dr. Casselman.....
https://www.outdoorcanada.ca/is-it-a-muskie-pike-or-tiger-heres-how-...
KenK
Posted 9/18/2019 12:49 PM (#946963 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 574


Location: Elk Grove Village, IL & Phillips, WI
Those rounded fins have me thinking tiger, but I'm not Dr. Casselman.
Moon Boy
Posted 9/18/2019 2:27 PM (#946969 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 19


I would bet a good chunk of change that it's a tiger. Looks obvious to me.
sworrall
Posted 9/18/2019 3:02 PM (#946973 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 32886


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
I would not. This guy comes with a 'pedigree' way beyond any of us here.
VMS
Posted 9/18/2019 3:45 PM (#946975 - in reply to #946973)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 3480


Location: Elk River, Minnesota
sworrall - 9/18/2019 3:02 PM

I would not. This guy comes with a 'pedigree' way beyond any of us here.


I'd agree...

Not that it is anything to consider with much weight here, but any tiger I have seen has not had as dark of bars. The bars on this fish seem too too dark overall in my humble opinion

The tail on that fish in the article looks like it's pretty pointed as well..

Steve



Edited by VMS 9/18/2019 3:47 PM
ToothyCritter
Posted 9/18/2019 4:17 PM (#946976 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 661


Location: Roscoe IL
Beauty of a fish..
bbeaupre
Posted 9/18/2019 4:21 PM (#946977 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 390


I caught one out of GB about ~12 years ago with very similar coloration. I will post pics when I get a chance to dig it up.

It makes one wonder if all hybrids are sterile...

TCESOX
Posted 9/18/2019 7:49 PM (#946988 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 1280


Provided I can figure out posting a picture, here is some side by side comparisons to ponder. The left and top are tigers from tiger stocked lakes, and the other one is the fish in question. I'm not sure. Do you look at fins, head size(as the expert did), patterns, colors?



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(tigers?3.jpg)



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Attachments tigers?3.jpg (142KB - 650 downloads)
Kirby Budrow
Posted 9/18/2019 8:12 PM (#946992 - in reply to #946988)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 2328


Location: Chisholm, MN
Tiger

Edited by Kirby Budrow 9/18/2019 8:13 PM
sworrall
Posted 9/18/2019 10:08 PM (#946994 - in reply to #946988)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 32886


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
TCESOX - 9/18/2019 7:49 PM

Provided I can figure out posting a picture, here is some side by side comparisons to ponder. The left and top are tigers from tiger stocked lakes, and the other one is the fish in question. I'm not sure. Do you look at fins, head size(as the expert did), patterns, colors?


Striking difference in the coloration and fin tips of the fish in question from the other two. I'll let the preeminent authority make the ID.
Cfollow
Posted 9/19/2019 6:06 AM (#947000 - in reply to #946994)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural


Because having a PhD means you can't be wrong? It's a Tiger.
Kirby Budrow
Posted 9/19/2019 7:12 AM (#947002 - in reply to #947000)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 2328


Location: Chisholm, MN
So the only reason Casselman thinks this is a pure strain canadian muskie (which usually don't have bars like this), is that the head is 26 percent the size of the fish. So he's using an estimate from measuring the picture. That can't be trusted. I have worked with many scientists and I disagree with them all the time. Just because you have a degree does not mean you are always right.

I was just reading an article about the St. Louis River. Nothing to do with Tigers...

But the article goes through the opinions of fisherman and DNR scientists. Such differing views. Read Deserae Hendrickson's point of view on the river. She's the fisheries supervisor there.

http://www.fishing-headquarters.com/the-future-of-the-st-louis-rive...

I would be willing to bet that no fisherman agrees with her.

Edited by Kirby Budrow 9/19/2019 7:19 AM
VMS
Posted 9/19/2019 7:17 AM (#947004 - in reply to #947000)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 3480


Location: Elk River, Minnesota
Cfollow - 9/19/2019 6:06 AM

Because having a PhD means you can't be wrong? It's a Tiger.


I'll take the assertion of someone with a PhD in the field of study over anyone who thinks they can fully determine this by looking at one single picture.

Cassleman has STUDIED, and RESEARCHED so many specimens over his career I would highly doubt his assertion on this fish is wrong.

Heck...using what he has stated about head size vs overall size from his extensive RESEARCH, measure the darn thing yourself. It won't be perfect as the fish is not entirely straight nor perpendicular to the camera...but it is not too far off...

Steve
Pepper
Posted 9/19/2019 7:42 AM (#947005 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 1516


I’ll take Casselman’s word for it.
KenK
Posted 9/19/2019 7:48 AM (#947006 - in reply to #947004)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 574


Location: Elk Grove Village, IL & Phillips, WI
What would you say these are. Nothing big, but nice markings.


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(Kenny's 26inch tiger full resized.jpg)


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(John Tiger Resized.jpg)



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Attachments Kenny's 26inch tiger full resized.jpg (81KB - 687 downloads)
Attachments John Tiger Resized.jpg (234KB - 669 downloads)
Attachments Tiger 33cropped.jpeg (80KB - 676 downloads)
VMS
Posted 9/19/2019 11:00 AM (#947011 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 3480


Location: Elk River, Minnesota
Hiya,

I'd say Pure all the way!! Those two pictures look extremely close in coloration and markings to the one in the article.

Steve
KenK
Posted 9/19/2019 11:08 AM (#947012 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 574


Location: Elk Grove Village, IL & Phillips, WI
There is also a 3rd picture I uploaded, not sure why it doesn't display like the other 2, but it is almost identical to the top one.
sworrall
Posted 9/19/2019 11:28 AM (#947013 - in reply to #947002)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 32886


Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Kirby Budrow - 9/19/2019 7:12 AM

So the only reason Casselman thinks this is a pure strain canadian muskie (which usually don't have bars like this), is that the head is 26 percent the size of the fish. So he's using an estimate from measuring the picture. That can't be trusted. I have worked with many scientists and I disagree with them all the time. Just because you have a degree does not mean you are always right.

I was just reading an article about the St. Louis River. Nothing to do with Tigers...

But the article goes through the opinions of fisherman and DNR scientists. Such differing views. Read Deserae Hendrickson's point of view on the river. She's the fisheries supervisor there.

http://www.fishing-headquarters.com/the-future-of-the-st-louis-rive...

I would be willing to bet that no fisherman agrees with her.


I read the entire linked document, and see the same debate we see repeatedly in the muskie world over what anglers perceive and what is management based scientifically proven using today's accepted fisheries management processes. The data doesn't 'support' the catch rates, so the assumed and most obvious conclusion by anglers is the fish are gone. I see a repeated reference to using the 2017 data to reach an eventual conclusion and that the piece itself was written in 2015. What did I miss?

This is not a parallel comparison, one issue is fish identification by arguably the world's leading authority, and the other a data VS catch rate active debate. As I see it here, no one said anyone couldn't disagree, but one might expect equal analysis and conclusions drawn in that process.
North of 8
Posted 9/19/2019 11:57 AM (#947016 - in reply to #947013)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




I guess we are lucky to be able to quickly identify "pure" from tiger on the chain where I live. The pure muskies are dark on the back and upper portions with little or no markings, silver lower portions. The tigers, which are natural hybrids, not stocked, have bold stripes. The water in the chain is very dark, which I have been told accounts for the coloring on the pure muskies. Not sure why the tigers are not impacted by that.
MartinTD
Posted 9/20/2019 10:16 AM (#947055 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 1141


Location: NorthCentral WI
I have caught several fish with markings similar to the fish in the article and I believe they are barred pure muskies. Looking at the comparison of the stocked tigers the difference is obvious. Not a tiger IMO.

KenK - I believe yours are nicely barred pure muskies also.

Edited by MartinTD 9/20/2019 10:20 AM
ToddM
Posted 9/20/2019 11:57 AM (#947060 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 20219


Location: oswego, il
I believe Ken's fish are tigers. That is what tigers look like where the clear strain resides. Caught them as well. In order for it to be a pure there would have to be two strains and in the case of where I fish, two strains reproducing naturally.
dougj
Posted 9/20/2019 5:31 PM (#947072 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 906


Location: Warroad, Mn
Not sure if this lake  has natural tigers, but it looks like a back cross to me? From what I've read some eggs  of female Hyberds are fertile. If these would mate with a male muskie I'll bet the off spring would look something like this fish. Ive caught a few that looked simular on the LOTWs,
bbeaupre
Posted 9/21/2019 11:59 AM (#947088 - in reply to #947000)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 390


but I have a PhD and Im never wrong.....unless you ask my wife
KenK
Posted 9/23/2019 11:52 AM (#947167 - in reply to #947088)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 574


Location: Elk Grove Village, IL & Phillips, WI
Here is what the naturals from the same lake.


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Attachments 46.5(resized).jpg (114KB - 646 downloads)
Attachments WP_20150607_09_44_59_Proresized.jpg (134KB - 651 downloads)
Pike Master
Posted 9/24/2019 2:42 PM (#947204 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 294


Location: Sakatchewan,Canada
I agree with Casselman on this one
fins355
Posted 9/30/2019 3:56 PM (#947430 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 280


Well....I'll take my shot here. I've handled a lot of hybrids over 44 years and my vote is hybrid...looking not only at markings but the size and shape of the fins. The pectorals and pelvic fins are especially large and rounded which is a definite sign of a tiger from what I have observed. Actually, all the fins are overly large along with the tail. I can't go along with Dr. Casselman on this one......wish we could see the sensory pores.
true tiger tamer
Posted 10/1/2019 12:22 PM (#947477 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 343


I've caught several hundred hybrids and pures. I can't think of a single tiger I've caught that didn't have an oversize head, I'd have to agree with Doctor Casselman.
Moon Boy
Posted 10/1/2019 1:52 PM (#947480 - in reply to #947477)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 19


If Casselman never saw this fish and someone posted it as a tiger, there wouldn't be anyone trying to debate that this is a tiger. It's so obvious that it is a tiger. I can't see why there is even a debate or an article written about it.
Brandyn Shepherd
Posted 10/31/2019 1:51 PM (#949236 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 13


Location: Illinois
You can tell it is a Tiger Muskie in more ways than one. Most obvious to me... other than the obvious... is the size and shape of the dorsal fin.

Not looking for an argument. It is what it is.

A Tiger Muskie.
Larry Ramsell
Posted 2/5/2020 12:28 PM (#953525 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 1291


Location: Hayward, Wisconsin
"Pedigree" or not, I have to differ on this one with the good Dr. I have studied hybrids most of my life (long) and have a huge hybrid photo file (and a chapter on same in my "Compendium"). NO question in my mind that this is indeed a tiger in my humble opinion.
leech lake strain
Posted 2/5/2020 8:27 PM (#953547 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 536


Tiger
phselect
Posted 2/10/2020 12:47 PM (#953661 - in reply to #946975)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 166


Location: Alexandria, MN
VMS - 9/18/2019 3:45 PM

sworrall - 9/18/2019 3:02 PM

I would not. This guy comes with a 'pedigree' way beyond any of us here.


I'd agree...

Not that it is anything to consider with much weight here, but any tiger I have seen has not had as dark of bars. The bars on this fish seem too too dark overall in my humble opinion

The tail on that fish in the article looks like it's pretty pointed as well..

Steve

I agree with the above. Pretty cool looking fish, regardless. Question, though.... are hybrids always 100% infertile? If not, could this be a hybrid/pure cross?


Edited by phselect 2/11/2020 8:43 AM
Kgonefishin
Posted 2/18/2020 2:31 PM (#953895 - in reply to #947006)
Subject: RE: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 61


Nice hat Fluffhead.
chuckski
Posted 7/29/2022 12:27 PM (#1010274 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 1406


Location: Brighton CO.
The stocked Tigers we have here in Colorado have a brownish tint to them I caught a natural (non stocked) fish in Wisconsin and it was the most beautiful fish ever a nice powder blue tint to it. It was only 28" but had a 5X7 photo made of it and I was wearing a almost new "Barefoot Charlie" shirt A long lost landmark.
jdsplasher
Posted 7/31/2022 6:48 AM (#1010308 - in reply to #1010274)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Posts: 2269


Location: SE, WI.
If I caught this fish, and just pinched a hook and she swam away, I’d call it a Tiger.

But, looking at all the variables, I’d call it 75% True, 25% tiger. Isn’t that Nature? Any cross breed will have variables, but certain traits will dominate!

Kinda like different strains of dogs breeding. Very much deluded;)
JD

Edited by jdsplasher 7/31/2022 6:49 AM
Solitario Lupo
Posted 7/31/2022 11:24 AM (#1010311 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural





Location: PA Angler
The color says pure but the stripes say tiger.
chuckski
Posted 7/31/2022 2:21 PM (#1010319 - in reply to #946961)
Subject: Re: Tiger or Natural




Posts: 1406


Location: Brighton CO.
I think my Wisconsin hybrid if I remember correctly had a yellow eye! And a piece of family fishing lore my great uncle caught a 25 pound Tiger and his lure never hit the water, He casts out and before the lure hit the water the fish jumped out of the water and hit it in mid air. My dad caught his first Muskie in the same body of water and I got tangled up with a two foot Northern on a cane pole and that's where all the madness began for me! A place we call Muskie Pond!