Muskellunge Esox masquinongy

Muskellunge Esox masquinongy

            The muskellunge is arguably (very little difference in size muskellunge and Northern Pike-mostly due to water depth,temperature and food supply)Canada’s largest freshwater fish next to sturgeons. It is a member of the pike family. A long moderately lateral compressed body, a long head and snout and a large mouth, the dorsal and anal fins are located at the end of the body near the tail. The body colour scheme is generally dark marking on a light background. The back, head, and upper sides are indescent green gold to light brown. The sides orange green, green gold to brownish to grey or silvery. Often in the silvery specimens there are no dark markings. Found in the freshwaters of eastern Canada in rivers and lakes from the St. John River system in New Brunswick, through southern Quebec, the St. Lawrence and its north south tributaries, throughout the lower great lakes and in Manitoba. The Muskellunge is generally a more docile fish than the Northern Pike but will inter breed to produce a hybrid known as the Tiger Muskellunge which is much more active.