Muskellunge

Length:  71-137 cm. (28-54 in.)

Key identifying characteristics:

dark vertical bands on light background, at times spotted or clear; tips of tail fin more pointed than northern pike

Similar fish:

• northern pike 

Distribution/Habitat:

• discontinuous in southern and near northeastern Ontario, and the Lake of the Woods/Rainy River area

Less than one per cent of the world's fresh water holds the mighty muskellunge and much of that water is in Ontario. This highly prized trophy fish ranges from the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes basin, north to Lake Nipissing, and west to Lake of the Woods.

The muskellunge is usually found concealed among aquatic plants at the sides of channels, or off shelving rocks and offshore shoals in lakes and rivers in summer. It moves into the shallow waters in the fall.

Because of its large size and fighting qualities, the muskellunge is one of Ontario's most renowned game fish. Heavy casting tackle is used because of the great strength of this fish, which can reach weights of over 22 kg. (50 pounds). All of the following have been used with considerable success:

• large wooden plugs
• spoons
• combination spoon and feather
• bucktail baits
• surface lures
• large bass plugs.