Posted 2/25/2009 12:17 PM (#362663) Subject: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 1636
Took this off of the FRV website to share with everyone.
The debate is whether this is a tiger muskie or a pure. It looks like most have went with it being a tiger based on the markings and the deformed upper jaw. I think this is a pure muskie based on the markings regardless of the deformed jaw. This is an Illinois fish. Markings like these are pretty common in quite a few different lakes down here and especially common in the fox river. I have caught 2 pures with the same deformity and have had one other in the boat in this state and have seen pictures of a few others, so its not unique to tigers only. The lack of markings on the face and the spots on the tail also lead me to believe its a pure. Its is in black in white though...
It could very well be a tiger, but I think its a pure.
What are your thoughts?
Posted 2/25/2009 2:04 PM (#362680 - in reply to #362663) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 1061
Location: Medford, WI
I would have to go with you Brandyn. I've caught quite a few fish which have markings very similar to what tigers have; however, they don't have significant markings on the face and, like the one above, their fins are not very rounded at all.
-Jake Bucki
Posted 2/25/2009 2:23 PM (#362682 - in reply to #362663) Subject: RE: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Pure. The tail fin does not appear to be rounded enough to be a tiger.
Ryanm
Posted 2/25/2009 2:51 PM (#362688 - in reply to #362663) Subject: RE: Tiger or Pure?
Could any of you help me out... I keep hearing about the Fox River in Illinois. Is this the Fox that I always hear about or is it the one by Green Bay? Which one produced that monster a few years back, ya know the 33" girth or something crazy. Just curious.
Posted 2/25/2009 3:07 PM (#362690 - in reply to #362663) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 1636
The fox in Green Bay flows north and exits into Green Bay and the fox river in Illinois flows south and exits in the Illinois River. Same river, but really its not.
Ryanm
Posted 2/25/2009 3:19 PM (#362694 - in reply to #362663) Subject: RE: Tiger or Pure?
Do they start at the same point? I thought the one in WI started at Lake Puckaway or something. Are both rivers know for Musky fishing?
Posted 2/25/2009 3:26 PM (#362697 - in reply to #362663) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 1086
Looks like a nice pure strain (barred) muskie to me. Which is often mistaken as a hybrid. When in doubt...look at the tail fin and count the pores under the bottom jaw...which...I realize...you can't do in this vid...but...once you get to know the difference between the two...
Posted 2/25/2009 3:37 PM (#362699 - in reply to #362690) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 566
Location: Elgin, IL
Hi Brandyn, when did that lake start stocking muskies??? I fished it for several years, 1976 to around 1999, caught decent pike, big largemouth, and huge carp. A very good friend of mine lived on the east shore, near the beach, but has moved.
Just wondering when they started stocking?? Thanks for the great video, nice fish, and good luck chasing her........
Posted 2/25/2009 3:53 PM (#362704 - in reply to #362700) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 566
Location: Elgin, IL
It's in Northern Illinois, Lake Killarney is just east of Crystal Lake, and yes, it's private-trolling motor only. Nice little lake.
Sorry, I thought you were fishing it at the time this was taken.
Posted 2/25/2009 4:13 PM (#362711 - in reply to #362705) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 566
Location: Elgin, IL
I'm checking with some of the FRV MuskieInc guys I know to find out......this video showed up on their site first. I had no idea they stocked it with musky, but obviously if they did, they will do well. It's a nice private little lake.
Posted 2/25/2009 6:12 PM (#362739 - in reply to #362663) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 171
Pure. Last 2 tigers I caught had the bars all the way back into the tail fin, I just checked the pics.....they didn't change into spots like this one.
Cool video!
ErieBoy75
Posted 2/26/2009 11:59 AM (#362900 - in reply to #362663) Subject: RE: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 785
Pure for sure, the tail fin shape and the tail markings look similar to Leech lakers or some of the fish i get in Iowa. I've caught a couple different pures with a similar jaw deformity.
Posted 2/27/2009 1:48 AM (#363029 - in reply to #362663) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 392
Location: lake x...where the hell is it?
its a pure. i have been going down to the wingra dam for years now and have seen alot of pures and tigers next to each other. check out the feb/mar 08 musky hunter,ODD MUSKIES!
Posted 2/27/2009 9:15 AM (#363060 - in reply to #362663) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 108
Location: Crystal Lake,Illinois 60014
Its been stocked since about 85'.
They put pure and tigers in there, from my knowledge and people i've spoke with over the years, very little is left in there.
I was told die off and the "typical" mistake catch and kill, didn't help.
Silver(oakwood hills) also has tigers.
I have fished out of both lakes for years, never can find them at all.
Very private and enforced.
Posted 2/27/2009 6:32 PM (#363170 - in reply to #362663) Subject: Re: Tiger or Pure?
Posts: 36
Location: Pittsburgh PA
I think its a pure the color formation matches very closely to fish I have caught here in Pa rivers,even know that could make no difference the fins also sold me ,you can not base it of its jaw problem any musky could be un lucky pure or tiger .thanks for the vid it was great!
Tiger or Pure?