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Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) are large, predatory, soft-rayed freshwater fish that occur naturally only in eastern North America. Muskellunge prefer clean, cool, weedy waters. In Canada, they occur from Quebec to eastern Manitoba. Other common names include musky, lunge and maskinonge.
Description
The largest member of the pike family (Esocidae), muskellunge have an oval body and a duck-billed snout with large teeth. The single dorsal fin, anal fin and caudal fin are close together. Muskellunge are distinguished by a pattern of dark markings on a light background, 6–10 pores on the underside of each lower jaw and the absence of scales from lower portions of cheeks and gill covers. Although individuals exceeding 1.8 m and 45 kg were once known, most modern specimens are much smaller (70–120 cm, 3–16 kg).
Significance of Fishery
One of the most prized Canadian fishes, it is sought for its aerial acrobatics, hard fight and relatively large size.
