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Muskie

(E. masquinongy)

Muskie, (Fishing) image

The muskellunge or muskie, is primarily a cold, fresh water fish that inhabits aquatic plants at the sides of channels or by drop-offs from rock or sand bars and along weed beds. A muskie is similar in appearance to the northern pike and has tail fin tips that are more pointed. Muskie generally fall into one of, or a combination of, three distinct color phases: spotted, barred or clear (no markings), with tan or olive main color. Its body is long and slender with eyes placed high on its head. Its dorsal fin is situated directly above the anal fin, and their mouth is equipped with sharp canine teeth. Muskie can reach lengths of over 50 inches and weights of over 50 pounds.

There is also a hybrid species of muskellunge, the tiger muskie. These fish are a sterile cross between northern pike and muskellunge, exhibiting characteristics of both parents. It has an elongated, tube-like body with gray-green vertical bars on its sides. Adult tiger muskies are voracious predators, with fish being the dominant item in their diet.

The muskellunge is an ambush predator and feeds primarily on other fish, devouring up everything from perch and suckers to shiners. It also feeds extensively upon frogs and crayfish. This species will typically chase after bait that has a lot of action.

Muskie, in the absence of northern pike, will generally reproduce in the same shallow, weedy areas that would normally be dominated by northern pike spawning during the spring. Although, in the presence of northern pike, muskie tend to spawn in slightly deeper water, yielding the more preferred habitat to the northern pike.