Muskie
(Muskellunge)
 2010 regulations including seasons have not been published by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources yet.
We support catch
and
release
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Less
than one per cent of the world's fresh water holds the mighty muskellunge
and much of that water is in Ontario. This highly prized trophy fish ranges
from the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes basin, north to Lake Nipissing,
and west to Lake of the Woods.
The
muskellunge is usually found concealed among aquatic plants at the sides
of channels, or off shelving rocks and offshore shoals in lakes and rivers
in summer. It moves into the shallow waters in the fall.
Because
of its large size and fighting qualities, the muskellunge is one of Ontario's
most renowned game fish. Heavy casting tackle is used because of the great
strength of this fish, which can reach weights of over 22 kg. (50 pounds).
All of the following have been used with considerable success:
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large
wooden plugs, spoons, combination spoon and feather, bucktail baits, surface
lures and large bass plugs |
Length:
71-137 cm. (28-54 in.)
Prefered
water temperature: 24 C / 75 F
Key
identifying characteristics: dark vertical bands on light background, at
times spotted or clear; tips of tail fin more pointed than northern pike
Similar
fish: northern pike
Distribution/Habitat:
discontinuous in southern and near northeastern Ontario, and the Lake of
the Woods/Rainy River area
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