The "elusive" mother of all freshwater game fish. The fish with razor like teeth that creates stories and dreams. The only fish hunted rather than angled. What is it about these fish that cause many sleepless nights, a loss of a marriage or job.
The mysterious fish that will hook you into countless hours of boat time yet not letting itself be hooked upon your lure. It only takes one experience of feeling that jolt at the end of you line, the power, the acrobatics in midair and you may be doomed.
This is my description and believe me it all happened to me many years ago.
These monsters we call muskies can be found in waters through out the U.S. but are generally associated with the midwest region. The Musky is at the top of the food chain and sometimes misunderstood. The preferred diet of the mighty fish seems to be the none spiny back fish such as ciscos, suckers, shad and perch. Refer to Musky Hunter Magazine study below of Perch and Muskies.
Being the King of all freshwater fish allows the Musky to only feed when it needs to. Maybe this is why they follow lures rather than smashing every lure that is retrieved. Others believe they follow the lure presented in order to chase it out of the area. Whatever the reason it can be frustrating but what other fisherman counts how many fish they see as a good day.
Quick Facts:
- Muskies spawn in April or May when the water get to about 48 to 55 degrees.
- A female Musky can lay up to 200,000 eggs. Since the Musky spawns late in the year, compared to other fish, the spawn has a low percentage of survival.
- Minnesota state record musky 54lbs, Lake Winnibigoshish - 1957 - Tiger Musky 34lbs - Lake Elmo - 1999
- Most 50" Muskies are 15 years or older. This is why catch and release is so important.
- There are three so called strains of Muskies - Spotted, Barred, Clear plus the Tiger Hybrid (cross between a Northern Pike and Musky)
|
