Muskie Information
COMMON NAME: MUSKELLUNGE
OTHER NAMES: MUSKIE
History: Between 1838 and 1853 Spencer F. Baird and Jared P. Kirtland first discovered and documented the muskellunge in the United States. Theses early naturalists and ichthyologists (the study of fish) collected and Identified 41 different species of fish in the Mahoning River in Ohio with the Muskie being 1 of them.
RANGE AND HABITAT: Historically abundant in Lake Erie and larger streams in the Ohio River drainage. Today found primarily in lakes where they have been stocked and occasionally in Lake Erie and Ohio River tributaries. Ideal habitat is heavily vegetated with submerged stumps, brush, and logs and water 3-4 feet deep.
FOOD: Soft-rayed fish such as suckers and gizzard shad
ADULT SIZE: Males typically range from 22-39 inches and weigh 3-21 pounds; females typically range from 22-50 inches and weigh from 3-40 pounds.
IDENTIFICATION: A long, slender fish with a large mouth and numerous teeth. Scales on cheeks are found only on the upper half and gill cover. Muskies lack a spiny dorsal fin, but do have a soft-rayed fin and soft-rayed ventral fin, both just in front of the tail. Muskie have 7-11 sensory pores on the underside of each side of the lower jaw.
FISHING TIPS: Bait casting and trolling large plugs, spoons, and spinner baits are the most popular ways to catch muskies.
Scale Sample Collection
Scale sample collection envelopes can be found on a blue sign on the launch ramps of the lakes were Muskie are stocked
Collect 4 to 6 scales from the shaded area shown on the diagram. these may be taken from the right or left side. Place the scales in the envelope, print in the requested information seal and mail in the envelope. No postage needed. The scale samples and catch information are needed for the Division of Wildlife to manage this Species.
Muskie stocked in 2006
Lake # of fingerlings Lake # of fingerlings
Alum Creek 3192 Lake Milton 1641
Caesar Creek 2763 Leesville 1045
Clearfork 2112 Salt Fork 4193
Cowan Lake 681 West Branch 3212
Piedmont 2345 Pymatuning 1031