Tail fin has
Pointed tips

Paired fins have pointed tips

DESCRIPTION:
Muskellunge show up in 3 common patterns:
BARRED (pictured above), SPOTTED and CLEAR.
Darker colored stripes or spots run VERTICAL along the sides of the body, never horizontal. The lower half of the cheek is not scaled like that of a Pike.
Musky have 6 or more pores on each side, underneath their jaw, Pike have 5 or less.

Tail fin has
rounded tips

Paired fins have rounded tips

DESCRIPTION:
Northern Pike have a common pattern of light colored spots or markings running HORIZONTAL across its dark colored body. Scales cover the entire cheek and upper half of the gill covers. Pike have a tolerance for a wide range of water temperatures and oxygen levels. Making them "one of the most adaptable of all freshwater species" (Steinberg,1992.pg20)

Tail fin has
Pointed tips

Paired fins have pointed tips

DESCRIPTION:
Hybrid "Tiger" Muskellunge are a combination of a pure strain muskellunge and a northern pike. The sides of this fish most often show a VERTICAL alternating pattern of broken stripes and spots ("tiger bars") and never resembles that of a northern pike. They are usually infertile and have characteristics of both parents