Have a look at this male (female) muskie.
[size=150]After some discussion with someone having more experience than I in identifying the sex of muskies, it's likely that I was wrong to call this fish a male. In short: though I believe(d) I was looking at a keyhole, it's difficult, apparently, to make the correct sex identification outside of the spawning season. I'm sorry for (likely) spreading some misinformation, and I welcome any comments or experience-sharing.
[/size]
Trolled Elk Lake from 3:30 PM to 7 PM.
Water temps about 60°.
Baitfish out over the open depths.
Caught him (her) on jointed crankbait closer to shore (tight to the drop-off), away from baitfish, as sun was starting to go down.
"><url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]<url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
">[Permission to view this media is denied]
” alt=”
">[Permission to view this media is denied]
” />
It had the keyhole look, rather than the larger, figure-eight-shaped sex organ. I almost took a picture the fish upside down in the net for this reason. Secondly, even to my naked eyes, the fish just had the look of a large, old fish in every way – except the length. It had a large head, jaw, fins, and had a thick body, but just wasn't as long as it looks (to me) in the picture or to my naked eyes.
I could be all wrong – and, perhaps, I should defer to those who have spent more time with large muskies than I have – but these are my impressions.
Interestingly, it had a caudal/tail fin that was quite asymmetrical – as if the top portion were clipped… The pictures don't really capture/depict that fact well.
Even in this picture – which is not great in quality or resolution – the skull seems quite large to me.
"><url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]<url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
">[Permission to view this media is denied]
” alt=”
">[Permission to view this media is denied]
” />
52
33