8 | 2017 LAKE STEWARDS NEWSLETTER The Muskellunge by Steven J. Kerr Distribution The muskellunge (Esox masquinongy, or ‘musky’) is only found in North America. It is present in all five of the Great Lakes, as well as more than 1,800 inland waters. In Ontario, the muskellunge has a bimodal distribution, being found in southern Ontario and the northwestern portion of the province; it has been estimated that muskellunge are found in 302 inland lakes and 105 streams/rivers in Ontario. The author’s son, Allan, with a muskellunge (2006). Habitat The muskellunge is considered to be a “cool water” species. It occupies different home ranges during the summer and winter periods. Spring and fall represent transitional periods as the fish movesfromonehabitat to the other. During the summer, muskellunge habitat is usually comprised of shallow, vegetated areas or rocky shoals near dropoffs. Although considered to be a relatively sedentary species, movements of individual fish more than 100 km have been documented. Life Cycle The muskellunge spawns in late spring in shallow vegetated waters having a sand-muck substrate. They have a relatively low reproductive rate. Depending on the size of the female, eggs production can vary from 20,000 – 200,000 eggs per year. No parental care is provided for the eggs. Depending on water temperature, hatching occurs in approximately two weeks. Young muskellunge grow quickly and can reach sizes of 12-15 inches in length by the first fall. Male muskellunge mature at 4-5 years of age, and the female at 6-7 years. Muskellunge can live up to 30 years. Predators & Prey The most significant predation, by birds and other fishes, occurs on young muskellunge. As the fish grows predators are reduced. Anglers may probably be considered the most significant predator of adult muskellunge. Muskellunge are voracious, opportunistic, ambush predators. They feed by sight and swallow their prey head first. Although fish comprise the majority of their diet, they are known to also consume mice, ducklings, snakes, frogs, crayfish and small mammals. Muskellunge can consume other fish of a size up to 50% of their own length, and seem to prefer fewer large meals, over several meals of smaller fish. Other Interesting Facts The world record muskellunge is believed to be a fish which was angled in Wisconsin and weighed 67.5 pounds. The Ontario record is a 65 pound muskellunge which was angled in Georgian Bay in 1988. Status of this Species Muskellunge are a low-density apex predator. Although not designated as a species at risk, they are especially susceptible to angling mortality. Organizations such as Muskies Inc. and Muskies Canada Inc. strongly promote the “catch and release” fishing ethic, so that muskellunge populations can be sustained. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Steve Kerr is a fisheries biologist who recently retired from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources after a career of 36 years. He is a Director with the Jack Lake Association (JLA) and joined the FOCA Board of Directors in 2015. He is a Certified Fisheries Scientist with the American Fisheries Society, is in the Muskies Canada Inc. Hall of Fame, and currently serves on the Fisheries Management Zone 15 Advisory Council. He has authored almost 40 articles, scientific papers and technical reports on muskellunge.