Name/Relations || Range/Sizes || Habitat & Habits ||  Notes

	Note: sides can also have vertical stripes.  More robust than the northern pike

Common Name:  Muskellunge
Other Common Names: Muskie, pike
Scientific name: Esox masquinongy
Family: Esocidae (Pikes)
Related Species:  Northern Pike, all pickerels

Sizes: Legends and pictures from the 19th century of 11 foot specimens over 100lbs abound, but a maximum of 75 pounds is more likely nowadays.  Far more commonly 5lbs-25lbs.
 

Habitat:  Larger lakes, impoundments, and reservoirs with available deep water and cover, including rivers, with water in the 55-70 degree F range (prefers 50-60 F). Prefers clearer water.

Spawning Habits:   In lakes and reservoirs it will seek tributary streams and rivers with vegetation or gravel covered bottoms, beginning in the spring when the water reaches 40-50 degrees F.  Larger females will be accompanied by smaller males, and the eggs are released they are simultaneously fertilized by the males, drop to the bottom and stick, and are then abandoned by the parents.

Feeding Habits:  Sporadic solitary ambush feeder with occasional cruising.  Likes to await meals in logjams and behind cover, especially cover near drop-offs, then stalking and finally smashing the prey in its mouth.  Diet almost exclusively fishes such as perch, sunfish, suckers, shad, and large minnows, with rare meals of frogs, ducks, and mice, thrown in.  In warmer lakes in the summer it will stay in deeper water until near sunrise or sunset.
 

Notes:  The name 'fish of 10,000 casts' says it all.  A sporadic biter, preferring bad weather, is never truly predictable, is big, fights hard, and is therefore a very addictive fish to chase. The subject of many specialized lures and rods, this fish often demands a high level of determination, attention to detail, and a little madness to catch.  If you are fortunate enough to hook a muskie, landing it is no certainty. It makes long swift runs, jumps, and charges for cover, and cannot be counted out even if it looks dead.  Best techniques (as a very basic start!) require stout tackle (10lb-30lb test), large spoons, spinners, or plugs (6"-14" long), with a short wire leader, and dozens of casts to structure such as fallen trees, weedlines, and rocks, bordering deep water, especially in the early spring and late fall on overcast days.   Due to its more selective feeding habits, it is not as maligned as the northern pike.  Its hybrid, the Tiger Muskie, is more often stocked than the true muskie due to the hybrids swifter growth, robust nature, and inability to reproduce too successfully.