The "fish of 10,000 casts" — a legendary North American pike that can exceed 60 pounds. Muskie are notoriously hard to catch and beloved by trophy anglers.

Also called: Musky, Muskie, Ohio Muskellunge

Native status: Native; iconic gamefish of upper Midwest/Great Lakes

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 80–183 cm (32–72 in); record 200 cm
Weight6–32 kg (13–70 lb); record 32 kg (70 lb)
LifespanWild 20–30+ years; verified ages over 30
OrderEsociformes
FamilyEsocidae

§ Encyclopedia

The muskellunge, often shortened to muskie, musky, ski, or lunge, is a species of large freshwater predatory fish native to North America. It is the largest member of the pike family, Esocidae.

Source: Wikipedia — Muskellunge Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Long torpedo-shaped body; light vertical bars on dark background (vs. pike's dark bars on light); duck-like snout.

Similar species. Northern Pike (darker, with light bean-shaped marks). Pickerel (smaller, chain pattern).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Almost exclusively fish (yellow perch, suckers, smaller pike), occasionally waterfowl.

Behavior. Apex freshwater predator. Solitary ambush hunter. Among most prized gamefish of US/Canadian lakes.

§ Range

Great Lakes, upper Mississippi, St. Lawrence basins

§ Habitat

Large cool lakes and rivers with abundant vegetation

§ Threats

Slow reproduction, habitat loss, overharvest of trophy individuals, climate-driven warming.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the muskellunge is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Practice mandatory catch-and-release of all but small muskies. Support muskie habitat restoration. Use single barbless hooks.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Fisheries Society
  • Muskellunge Society
  • Minnesota DNR
  • IUCN Red List 2017