Species profile
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
Identify Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 30 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 22 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Ontario); the most generous is 5 (New Brunswick).
Across 20 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 39.5 in (≈ 3 ft 4 in).
Confirmed by 782 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ontario, Wisconsin, and Quebec the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- The world-record muskellunge weighed 67 lbs 8 oz, caught in Wisconsin in 1949.
- Anglers call it 'the fish of 10,000 casts' for its reputation as extremely hard to catch.
- Muskellunge is the official state fish of Wisconsin.
- Adults readily eat fish, ducklings, frogs, and even small muskrats.
- Muskies can top 5 feet in length and live over 25 years.
Where Muskellunge are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Muskellunge
Background
The muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), also known as muskelunge, muscallonge, milliganong, or maskinonge (and often abbreviated "muskie" or "musky"), is a species of large, relatively uncommon freshwater fish native to North America. The muskellunge is the largest member of the pike family, Esocidae.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Muskellunge article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Muskellunge?
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 22 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Muskellunge?
Muskellunge is Esox masquinongy.
Is Muskellunge regulated for fishing?
Yes — Muskellunge has fishing regulations in 30 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Muskellunge?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Muskellunge along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.