Musky (muskie)

Famous for its large size and fighting qualities, the muskie (also known as muskellunge or musky) is one of North America’s most sought after fish.

The muskie is the largest member of the pike family. Muskies have a long slender body and a large mouth capable of swallowing whole fish and other prey.

These top level predators hunt by ambush, hiding among aquatic plants or other cover. Muskies eat perch, suckers, catfish, minnows, sunfishes and other fish. Large individuals are known to consume a variety of animals, including, amphibians, waterfowl, and rodents.

Muskie range from the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes basin, to areas of Canada in the north and west.

The muskie is the official state fish of Wisconsin. The muskellunge is sometimes called “the fish of 10,000 casts.”

Related Information

Fish Species