Lawrence and Upper Niagara River populations are two of only a few large, self-sustaining populations in North America, and unique management programs have been established for them. Lawrence and Upper Niagara River Populations Boat electrofishing surveys are also used to check the status of populations in inland rivers, such as the Great Chazy and Susquehanna (View Muskellunge Management Objectives for the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers).
The status of some important lake muskellunge fisheries in New York State, including Chautauqua Lake, Waneta Lake and the Cassadaga lakes, is regularly monitored by adult trap netting surveys during spawning in the spring. Monitoring Inland Lake and River Populations Because of this, monitoring their populations is challenging and requires a variety of sampling techniques dependent on the objective and waterbody. Research and MonitoringĪs top predators, muskellunge are naturally low in abundance. Habitat protection and enhancement measures include identification and rehabilitation of spawning sites, enforcement of water quality and wetland regulations, identifying and preserving important spawning and nursery habitats, and determining the impacts of invasive species on habitat quality. Shoreline development and erosion, unnatural water level fluctuations, invasive species and wetland encroachment all threaten the stability of muskellunge populations. Maintaining and enhancing water quality and habitat are critical to the maintenance of healthy muskie populations. Management Efforts Habitat Protection and Enhancement Ohio River strain fish tend to have a barred, or striped, color pattern, while the Great Lakes strain is typically spotted. Populations in the Susquehanna River and tributaries are now self-sustaining, but the other populations are supplemented or maintained by stocking. Ohio River strain fish are native to the Allegheny River watershed but have been introduced to the Lake Champlain, Delaware and Susquehanna River watersheds. Lawrence River and tributaries, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie and the Niagara River. The Great Lakes strain is found in the St. Two native muskie types or "strains" occur in New York State-the Great Lakes strain and the Ohio River strain.
Lawrence River, Upper Niagara River and Chautauqua Lake are the most renowned muskie fisheries in the state, but quality fisheries also exist in smaller lakes such as Waneta, Greenwood, Bear, and the Cassadaga lakes, and in inland rivers such as the Susquehanna, Allegheny, Delaware, Great Chazy and major tributaries of the St. At least 13 lakes and 19 rivers have muskellunge populations in New York State. Muskellunge inhabit coolwater lakes and large river systems in eastern and north-central North America. The state record muskellunge tipped the scales at 69 lbs., 15 oz! Distribution Muskies can grow to enormous proportions, sometimes reaching 50 pounds or more.
Most muskies are reproductively mature by age 6, when they average 34 inches long, with females typically larger than males. Muskellunge grow rapidly, attaining 10-12 inches in length by their first winter, and are around 30 inches long by age 4. They spawn in the spring in water temperatures around 50-60° F in shallow water, typically along lake and river shorelines. Their legendary ability to challenge and confound the angler, their massive size potential, and their well-earned status as top predators, have often inspired anglers to forsake other fish for a chance to encounter the "fish of 10,000 casts." Reproduction and Growth They are the largest freshwater sportfish in New York State and are considered the ultimate trophy by anglers who pursue them. Tiger muskellunge are sometimes produced naturally in waters where both species reside, but they are also reared in hatcheries and stocked as a popular sportfish. When muskellunge and northern pike interbreed, they produce a sterile hybrid cross called a tiger muskellunge. Muskellunge or "muskies" are the largest members of the pike family, Esocidae, which also includes northern pike, chain pickerel, redfin pickerel and grass pickerel-all native to New York State. Includes 100 items: Simmiland, Soko Loco Deluxe, New Colony, Brume, Pear Quest, Jut, Bombini, Dr.Portions of this page may require JavaScript to be enabled for your browser.
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