Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy · Fresh

The fish of 10,000 casts: giant, elusive predator of northern lakes and rivers.

Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)

Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Facts

Best months

Jun–Nov. Northern hemisphere; shift by six months south of the equator.

FeedsDaytime
Water temp12–22 °C
Typical size75–110 cm · record about 170 cm
DietFish
RegionsNorth America

How conditions affect it

Moon

Sensitive to the moon: favour the major solunar periods.

Tide

Tide matters little for this species.

Pressure

Sensitive to pressure: fish a steady or slowly falling barometer.

Catching tip. Big bucktails and jerkbaits worked slowly; patience required.

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Related species

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