Muskellunge Esox masquinongy
Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)
The muskellunge (muskie) is the largest member of the pike
family. Among New York's top muskie waters are the Niagara and St. Lawrence
rivers, Chautauqua Lake, and Black Lake. Other waters such as the Allegheny,
Delaware, and Susquehanna rivers, Lake Erie, and eastern Lake Ontario have
muskellunge, but they are rare. They have been stocked in a few other lakes
across the state.
Muskellunge spawn in the spring following the northern pike
spawning period. Water temperatures between 48??? and 56???F seem to be optimum
for muskellunge spawning. Their age at first spawning varies between 3 and
6 years old. The males move to the spawning grounds first, the females following.
Actual spawning takes place at night in shallow, muck-bottomed bays or coves,
especially those with sunken stumps or logs. Eggs are distributed along several
hundred feet of shoreline. No nests are built, and no parental care is given
to eggs or young. |
