Muskellunge Facts

Common names include muskie, lunge, maskinonge and great pike. Sometimes confused with northern pike, but the two species can be easily separated. The muskie has dark marks on a light background, while the northern has light marks on a dark background. Also, the tips of the muskie's tail are more pointed. The muskie's marks range from small spots to vertical bars. There are usually 12 to 18 pores on the underside of the lower jaw. The cheek and gill cover have scales only on the top half.
The muskie's moody, unpredictable nature has fascinated generations of anglers, and have been the centre of focus of many a fishing tales. Hooked muskies wage a spectacular but usually short battle. They leap and make powerful runs that often break the line or straighten the hook.
Muskies are found around the Great Lakes, upper regions of the Northern and Eastern States, and mid Ontario and Quebec. They grow more rapidly than other members of the pike family. They have been known to live over 30 years. Females grow faster and live longer than males. The current world record is from 1957 where a Muskie 69 pounds, 15 ounces was caught in the St. Lawrence River, New York.