Species
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy · family Esocidae
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 conditions
- Water temp
- 55–78°F (ideal 68°F)
- Tide
- either
- Moon
- full
- Depth
- 10–40 ft
- Active months
- May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct, Nov
Best muskellunge conditions today
Regulations by jurisdiction
Maryland (non-tidal)
non tidal
- Min size
- 36"
- Creel
- 1
Non-tidal MD: 36-inch minimum, 1 per day. Open year-round. Same regulation applies to muskellunge and tiger muskellunge. Deep Creek Lake and the upper non-tidal Potomac are the primary fisheries.
Source · verified 2026-04-22
Virginia (non-tidal — VDWR)
non tidal
- Min size
- 40"
- Creel
- 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 · verified 2026-04-22