Burke Lake Park, Fairfax County, VA
Muskellunge fishing today
Workable day for Muskellunge.
68/100
Why today scores 68
- 7 mph wind — Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
Right now at Burke Lake Park
- Water temp
- unavailable
- Air temp
- 81°F
- Wind
- 3 to 7 mph NW
- Tide phase
- incoming
- Sunrise / sunset
- 6:23 AM / 7:52 PM
- Moon
- first quarter, 33% illuminated
- Solunar windows today
- 12:50 AM - 1:50 AM · 4:50 AM - 6:50 AM · 9:50 AM - 10:50 AM · 5:20 PM - 7:20 PM
- Forecast
- Sunny
About Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy. The "fish of 10,000 casts." MD's primary fisheries are Deep Creek Lake and the upper non-tidal Potomac. Apex freshwater predator that hits oversize glide baits, bucktails, and live suckers. Tiger muskie (musky × northern pike hybrid) regulated identically.
Preferred water temp: 55–78°F (ideal 68°F). Preferred tide: either.
VA regulations
- Minimum size
- 40"
- Daily creel limit
- 1
Non-tidal VA: 40-inch minimum statewide (higher than MD's 36-inch), 1 per day. The New River from Claytor Dam to the VA-WV state line has a seasonal protected slot: June 1–February 28, no muskie between 40 and 48 inches may be kept (so the effective legal size is 48+ in); March 1–May 31, the minimum rises to 48 inches. Primary fisheries: New River (world-class muskie water), Shenandoah, James below Columbia. Distinct from MD, which has no such slot.
Source: NTVA regulations. Last verified: 2026-04-22.