Musky Myths

Musky MythsOver the years, many myths about the muskellunge have been spawned and continue to evolve. This is probably due to the voraciousness and huge size of this fascinating top level predator. Some of these misconceptions contribute to the greater misconception that muskie (and pike) are an undesireable species of fish to have in an ecosystem. On the contrary; State DNR's actually stock these fish in some lakes to control other populations that would otherwise cause irrepaireable damage.

General Misconceptions

Muskie destroy smaller gamefish populations.
There are rarely enough muskie to severely impact a gamefish population. Pike on the other hand can obliterate another gamefish poulation because of their tendency towards a larger population density.

Muskie dont feed in the summer because they lose thier teeth and get sore mouths
Put the bottle down! nuff sed

Muskies always hang out around weeds
They do like weedbeds but thats where the smaller ones hide out. The big girls are in the deeper cooler waters, often suspended in open water or hanging out by the rocks (especially in waters that have walleye)

Muskies dont bite at night
This myth has almost been eradicated. It is now pretty much accepted as common knowledge within the esox angling community thanx to the efforts of several pioneers. Joe Bucher, to name one.

I have seen the same muskie in the same spot several times
Muskies are always on the move. A spot is a spot. It offers the right combination of what a muskie likes or needs. He pilages it for awhile, and moves on. He may come back later, but chances are, the next fish you see in that spot is a different one.

Muskies are loners
I have personally seen muskies travelling in pairs. I have also witnessed groups of them densly populating large weedbed areas (in the spring)

Conservation authorities and Natives have netted many 100lb+ muskies
There has never been a documented 100lb muskie anywhere. All claims have been disproven. Musky Historian and expert Larry Ramsell has spent a lifetime of research into world record fish.

Muskies that are suspended just beneath the surface are sick
They're just chillin