Esox masquinongy
Mitchill, 1824
Common Name:
Muskellunge
Synonyms and Other Names:
Esox ohiensis Kirtland, 1854; Muskie, Musky
Identification:
Muskellunge, Esox masquinongy, are characterized by their elongate, moderately compressed and slightly flattened body. Oblique stripes, spots or blotches overlay the silver colored body, the belly is white in color with small spots. Fins are green or red-brown with dark blotches. The top of the head is unscaled and the snout is long and duckbill-like. The Muskellunge has a large mouth with strong canine teeth in its lower jaw and on the roof of its mouth. Its tongue features short, sharp brush-like teeth (Becker 1983).
Three subspecies are sometimes recognized: Esox masquinongy masquinongy, a spotted form which occurs in the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes and their tributaries; Esox masquinongy immaculatus, a form with either no pattern or barring which occurs in Wisconsin, Minnesota, northwestern Ontario, and southeastern Manitoba; and Esox masquinongy ohioensis, a form with bars or diffuse spots and blotches which occurs in the Ohio River and its tributaries (Becker 1983).
While similar in appearance to the Northern pike (Esox lucius), Muskellunge can often be distinguished from pike based on coloration. Additionally, Muskellunge have 6-9 sensory pores on each side of their lower jaw whereas Northern pike have 5 or less pores. Muskellunge also have relatively pointed tail fins relative to a Northern pike (Minnesota DNR 2017). The hybrid Tiger muskie (Esox masquinongy x lucius) is also present in the Great Lakes region, these grow faster and larger than either of the parent species, are characterized by dark stripes on a lighter background, have 5-6 sensory pores and are otherwise intermediate between the two parents in shape and coloring.
Size:
183 cm.
Native Range:
St. Lawrence River-Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins, from Quebec to southeastern Manitoba; south in the Appalachians to Georgia and in the west to Iowa (Page and Burr 1991). Crossman (1978) gave a distribution map. Although never reported from Mississippi, considering the fact that Muskellunge are (or were) native to the main Tennessee River, the species almost certainly historically entered the extreme northeastern part of that state (Gilbert, personal communication).
Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
E. masquinongy has a patchy documented native distribution in the Great Lakes basin, with some populations in all five of the Great Lakes considered native, but with extensive non-native populations existing in western Lake Superior, northern Lake Michigan and in inland Lakes.
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Esox masquinongy are found here.
Full list of USGS occurrences
Table last updated 4/23/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology:
Muskellunge are typically found in lakes with numerous submerged weed beds but can also be found in clear, sterile lakes with almost no weeds. Lakes with extensive, deep and shallow basins with tributary streams are preferred. Muskellunge are considered a coolwater species preferring temperatures from 0.55°C to 25.5°C despite optimum growth rates occurring at approximately 25.5°C. The species can withstand temperatures up to 90°F. Compared to other species in the same habitat Muskellunge are more tolerant of low oxygen levels (Michigan DNR 2012; Becker 1983). Muskellunge spawn in the spring in shallow bays. Ideal temperature for spawning is 12.7°C. Eggs are scattered in shallow waters over submerged woody debris or over vegetation. Females produce 22,000-180,000 eggs which take 8-14 days to hatch. Young Muskellunge absorb the yolk sac after hatching and begin to prey on other organisms. Growth is rapid in the first three years, growth rate vary depending on water temperatures and available food. Females tend to grow faster and larger than males. As they grow larger, growth rates begin to level off.. Individuals can live up to 30 years or more (Michigan DNR 2012). Natural hybridization between the Muskellunge and Northern Pike occurs in waters where both species are present resulting in the Tiger Muskellunge. Male hybrids are sterile and females are frequently fertile. Reproduction can be limited by water temperatures below 10°C, fluctuating water temperatures, low oxygen, predation by fish and invertebrates on eggs and fry, prey availability, and hybridization with the Northern pike (Michigan DNR 2012; Becker 1983).
After hatching Muskellunge feed on other fish species including minnows and smaller Muskies. As they get larger, Muskellunge begin to prey on frogs, ducklings, and crayfish. Adult Muskellunge will consume fish up to a third their own length and prefer longer, cylindrical fish to spiny, deep bodied panfish. This preference is attributed to their metabolism which favors a single, large meal instead of multiple small ones (Michigan DNR 2012). Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, sunfish, and other Muskellunge will prey on young Muskellunge. In hatcheries, giant water bugs, diving beetles, and large larvae of some insects were seen to be significant predators of recently hatched Muskellunge.
Great Lakes Means of Introduction:
Native to the Great Lakes basin with a patchy distribution (possible glacial relict), but with significant anthropogenic movement and introduction of outside strains. Intentionally stocked for sportfishing. Becker (1983) traces about 25% of Wisconsin populations to deliberate stocking events. Fisheries often depend on artificial propagation and stocking of the species due to failure of natural reproduction in reservoirs (Rinchard et al. 1999).
Great Lakes Status:
Cryptogenic with an expanding range. Esox masquinongy has a patchy documented native distribution in the Great Lakes basin, with some populations in all five of the Great Lakes considered native, but with non-native populations existing in western Lake Superior, northern Lake Michigan and in inland Lakes. This distribution is likely a product of post-glacial movement of the species into the basin (>1000 years BP) combined with more recent human-mediated deliberate introductions as a sportfish.
Great Lakes Impacts:
Esox masquinongy has a moderate environmental impact in the Great Lakes. Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSv) was isolated from Muskellunge in Lake St. Clair (along with many other fish species) and Muskellunge may be a transmission vector (Elsayed et al 2006, Kim and Faisal 2012, Kim et al 2022, Millard et al 2014). This disease is highly pathogenic to juvenile Muskellunge (Kim et al 2010) as well as to other native species. VHSv is a reportable disease (OIE 2019).
Natural hybridization between the Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) and Northern pike (Esox lucius) occurs in waters where both species are present resulting in the Tiger muskellunge. Male hybrids are sterile but females are frequently fertile (Eddy 1944, Becker 1983, Wahl and Stein 1993). An artificial Muskellunge x Grass pickerel (Esox americanus americanus) hybrid has been produced in Ohio, lending credence to earlier unverified reports (Crossman and Buss 1965; Becker 1983).
There is little or no evidence to support that Esox masquinongy has significant socioeconomic impacts in the Great Lakes.
Esox masquinongy has a high beneficial impact in the Great Lakes.
Muskellunge is a trophy fish which is considered the “premier challenge of freshwater angling,” due to their scarcity, size, and fight (Michigan DNR 2012). In 1975, Muskellunge anglers contributed over 3.2 million dollars to the economy of the Chautauqua Lake (NY) watershed’s economy (Horn 1978).
Because Muskellunge are among the largest of fish predator species they are important for maintaining fish population balance. Increasing growth rates of perch were associated with increased Muskellunge predation. Stocking Muskellunge has also been observed to improve native Muskellunge population, Walleye (Sander vitreus) fishing, and quality of Perch (Perca flavescens) (Becker 1983).
Management:
Regulations
Muskellunge appears on the IL list of species approved for aquaculture.
Muskellunge fishing is regulated by state laws and the species is frequently stocked by state agencies. Check with local agencies for specific regulation and management practices.
Note: Check federal, state, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information. Control
Biological
Northern Pike competition has been observed to impact Muskellunge populations. Lakes formerly containing Muskellunge have become dominated by the Northern Pike after introduction. Coexistence of the species has also been observed (Becker 1983).
Physical
Success of physical control methods have not been studied on Muskellunge.
General methods of fish control include accelerated water velocity, physical barriers, pressurized hot water/steam, hot water thermal barriers , removal of catch limits, reservoir drawdowns, traps, nets, electrofishing, and combinations of treatments (GLMRIS 2011, Meronek et al. 1996). Patrick et al. (1985) observed that air bubble curtains have been successful in deterring various species of fish—especially when used in conjunction with strobe lights.
Chemical
Chemical piscicides antimycin A and rotenone are general piscicides, the use of which has not been studied on Muskellunge. These piscicides are toxic to other species and can cause non-target kills (GLMRIS 2012).
Careful consideration should be taken with chemical methods to reduce impact to non-target species.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
Remarks:
Wolter et al. (2013) examined demographics and rate of dam escapement at a reservoir in Illinois, finding 25% of the population escaped over the dam and suggested mitigation practices.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Fuller, P., Neilson, M.E., Hopper, K. and Sturtevant, R.
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
1/16/2024
Peer Review Date:
7/7/2015
Citation for this information:
Fuller, P., Neilson, M.E., Hopper, K. and Sturtevant, R., 2024, Esox masquinongy Mitchill, 1824: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/GreatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=679, Revision Date: 1/16/2024, Peer Review Date: 7/7/2015, Access Date: 4/24/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.