Species
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy · family Esocidae
Live · updated
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
Deep Creek Lake
Mille Lacs Lake
Leech Lake
Lake Vermilion
Spirit Lake
West Okoboji Lake
Lake Minnetonka
Lake of the Woods (Baudette)
Rainy Lake (International Falls)
Lake St. Clair (Metropark)
Lake Winnebago (Menominee Park, Oshkosh)
Sturgeon Bay (Door County)
Potomac River — Williamsport
Burke Lake Park
Green Bay (Bay Beach, Green Bay)
No locations match that filter.
Regulations by jurisdiction
Maryland (non-tidal)
Stale: last verified 96 days ago.
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)
Stale: last verified 96 days ago.
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
MN
Stale: last verified 59 days ago.
non tidal
- Min size
- 54"
- Creel
- 1
54" minimum, 1/day.
Source · verified 2026-05-29
WI
Stale: last verified 54 days ago.
great lakes
- Min size
- 40"
- Creel
- 1
Wisconsin: 1 muskellunge/day, 40" minimum (50" on trophy waters). Green Bay is a world-class muskie fishery.
Source · verified 2026-06-03
NTWI
Stale: last verified 54 days ago.
non tidal
- Min size
- 40"
- Creel
- 1
Wisconsin inland: 1 muskellunge/day, 40" minimum (higher on designated trophy waters).
Source · verified 2026-06-03
NTIA
Stale: last verified 54 days ago.
non tidal
- Min size
- 40"
- Creel
- 1
Iowa: 1 muskellunge/day, 40" minimum (Spirit Lake and the Okobojis; open May 21–Nov 30).
Source · verified 2026-06-03