Muskellunge
Large freshwater predatory fish, largest of the pike family.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) is a large, predatory freshwater fish native to North America and the biggest member of the pike family, Esocidae. It goes by many nicknames, including muskie, musky, ski, and lunge. Its common name comes from the Ojibwe word *maashkinoozhe*, which means "ugly pike," and the Algonquin word *maskinunga* was borrowed into Canadian French as *masquinongé* or *maskinongé*. Before the English name "muskellunge" became standard, at least 94 other names were used, such as muskelunge, muscallonge, maskinonge, and mascalonge.
Zoologists generally recognize three subspecies of muskellunge, though interbreeding with other pike species can complicate classification. The Great Lakes muskellunge, or spotted muskellunge (*E. m. masquinongy*), is most common in the Great Lakes basin and has spots forming oblique rows on its body. The Chautauqua muskellunge, or barred muskellunge (*E. m. ohioensis*), is found in the Ohio River system, Chautauqua Lake, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River. The clear muskellunge (*E. m. immaculatus*) is most common in inland lakes of Minnesota, Wisconsin, northwestern Ontario, and southeastern Manitoba. There is also a hybrid called the tiger muskellunge (*E. masquinongy × lucius* or *E. lucius × masquinongy*), a cross between a muskie and a northern pike. These hybrids are sterile, though females sometimes attempt spawning motions without success. Some tiger muskies are artificially produced and stocked for anglers; they grow faster than pure muskies but do not live as long, so they never reach the same ultimate size.
In appearance and behavior, muskellunge closely resemble other esocids like the northern pike and American pickerel. They are ambush predators with an elongated body, flat head, and dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins set far back. Typical adult muskellunge measure 70–120 cm (28–48 inches) long and weigh 7–16.5 kg (15–36 lb), though some have reached up to 1.8 m (6 ft) and nearly 30 kg (70 lb). In November 2000, Martin Arthur Williamson caught a 27.8 kg (61.25-pound) muskie on Georgian Bay. Their coloration is light silver, brown, or green, with dark vertical stripes that may break into spots; in turbid waters, markings may be absent. This is the opposite of northern pike, which have dark bodies with light markings. A reliable way to tell the two species apart is by counting sensory pores on th
- Scientific name
- Esox masquinongy
- Family
- Esocidae
- Maximum recorded weight
- 30.5 kg (67 lb 8 oz)
- Maximum recorded length
- 1.8 m (6 ft)
- Typical length
- 70–120 cm (28–48 in)
- Typical weight
- 7–16.5 kg (15–36 lb)
- Native range
- North America (Great Lakes, upper Mississippi valley, Canada, and parts of the eastern U.S.)
Lore & Background
Muskellunge are ambush predators with an elongated body, flat head, and fins set far back. They are typically light silver, brown, or green with dark vertical stripes that may break into spots or be absent. They can be distinguished from northern pike by having seven or more sensory pores on each side of the mandible, sharper tail fin lobes, and no scales on the lower half of the opercula. Zoologists usually recognize three subspecies: the Great Lakes or spotted muskellunge (E. m. masquinongy), the Chautauqua or barred muskellunge (E. m. ohioensis), and the clear muskellunge (E. m. immaculatus). A hybrid with northern pike, the tiger muskellunge, is sterile and sometimes artificially produced for anglers.
Reader's Guide
The muskellunge is a top predator in its ecosystem, feeding on fish, insects, muskrats, rats, mice, frogs, ducks, and even other muskellunge. It can take prey up to two-thirds its body length. Its feeding behavior is synchronized with the lunar cycle, with increased activity during full and new moons. Spawning occurs in mid- to late spring over shallow, vegetated areas with rock or sand bottoms. Eggs are abandoned by adults, and juveniles grow to about 30 cm by November of their first year. Adult muskellunge have few natural predators besides humans and large birds of prey like bald eagles. Their low reproductive rate and slow growth make them vulnerable to overfishing, leading to artificial propagation programs in some areas. Anglers seek them as trophies, and in non-native areas like Maine, release is discouraged due to negative impacts on native trout and other fish.
Did You Know?
- The name 'muskellunge' comes from the Ojibwe word maashkinoozhe, meaning 'ugly pike.'
- The largest muskellunge on record, caught in 1949, weighed 30.5 kg (67 lb 8 oz) and was 153 cm (60.25 inches) long.
- Tiger muskellunge, a hybrid with northern pike, are sterile and grow faster but do not reach the ultimate size of pure muskies.
- Muskellunge can have seven or more sensory pores on each side of the mandible, while northern pike never have more than six.
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