Simple Ways to Identify Your Catch
Anglers are encouraged to harvest northern pike and muskellunge and not release them back to the water alive.
|
Muskie, Pike, or Pickerel? |
|
|
To view images and information on freshwater fish species in Maine visit: http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/species/identification/index.htm |
|
|
Muskellunge – Dark, vertical bars on light green or brown background. |
Only upper half of cheek and gill cover scaled. |
|
Northern Pike – Light colored, irregular markings on dark background along flank. Dorsal fin insertion slightly ahead of anal fin. |
|
|
Chain Pickerel – Dark, chain-like markings on light background along flank, and a dark vertical line under eye. |
Cheek and gill cover |
Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
