Iowa Fishing Regulations - Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Iowa’s Pike Family
Lakes and streams may contain muskie and northern pike. It is
important for anglers to know the difference among members of
the pike family in order that appropriate size, catch and possession
limits are observed.
Northern Pike
They are normally a bluish-green to gray on the back with irregular
rows of light-colored horizontal bean-shaped spots on the sides.
There are five or fewer pores on each side of the lower jaw. The
entire cheek and upper half of the gill cover is scaled.
Muskellunge
Muskies usually are olive to dark gray
with tiger-like vertical markings on the
side. They have 6 to 8 pores on each side
of the lower jaw. Only the upper half of
both the cheek and gill cover is scaled.
35
Up to 5 pores per side
6 to 8 pores per side