Distribution in local area:
Baptiste Lake, Long Lake,
Physical Description:
Elongate, somewhat deep, slightly
compressed body
Pattern of dark bars, spots, or both on a pale background
on its side
Median fins are spotted or streaked
Single dorsal and anal fins are far posterior on the
body, the tail is forked with pointed tips
Head slopes to a point; jaws are long and duckbill-shaped,
with a slight underbite
Terminal mouth with sharp teeth
The muskellunge (muskie) is the largest member of the
pike family.
Similar species:
Northern pike (Esox lucius)
Mean body size:
A rapidly growing fish, they
reach sizes of several feet and can be in the 40-60-pound
class.
Habitat:
Lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving
parts of rivers in cover, Muskies prefer habitat with
clear, quiet water. Submerged weed beds interspersed
with sunken stumps and logs are all components of ideal
muskie habitat.
Food Habits:
Young fish eat microcrustaceans
and insects
Adult diet is almost entirely fish
Reproductive Habits:
Mature between the ages of 3
and 5. Females usually larger than males
Muskellunge spawn in the spring following the northern
pike spawning period. Water temperatures between 9.5-15.5°C
(48° - 56°F) seem to be optimum for muskellunge
spawning.
Their age at first spawning varies between 3 and 6 years
old.
The males move to the spawning grounds first, the females
following.
Actual spawning takes place at night in shallow, muck-bottomed
bays or coves, especially those with sunken stumps or
logs. Spawning occurs in shallows of streams and lakes
in groups with one female and one to three males
Fecundity is 10,000-250,000 eggs per femaleEggs are
distributed along several hundred feet of shoreline.
No nests are built, and no parental care is given to
eggs or young.
Uses:
They are highly prized as sport
fish; unfortunately, they are rather rare and few are
caught. Musky is good to eat
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