FishableWaters

Species

Muskellunge

On record in 157 waters across 9 states

Muskellunge are the fish anglers call "the fish of ten thousand casts" for a reason — they're solitary, they're smart, and they can follow a lure to the boat a dozen times before ever committing. Landing one is as much about persistence as skill, and most serious muskie anglers measure their season in follows, not just catches.

Muskellunge are on record in 157 waters across 9 states, most heavily in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and New York. FishableWaters tracks every muskellunge stocking from state agency reports — use the state links and most-stocked list below to find waters near you.

Muskellunge
Duane Raver / USFWS

By state

Most-stocked waters

How to catch them

Big, slow-worked bucktails and glide baits are the standard, cast repeatedly to the same high-percentage spots — weed edges, points, and drop-offs near deep water. The figure-eight at boat side, tracing a large figure-eight pattern with the lure before lifting it out, triggers a surprising number of strikes from following fish.

Bucktails, large glide baits, and jerkbaits in the 8 to 12 inch range are muskie standards. Live sucker fishing under a large float is a slower, more patient approach that still accounts for plenty of trophy fish.

Know your fish

Similar body shape to northern pike, but muskie carry dark spots or bars on a lighter body, the reverse of pike's light spots on a dark background. The reliable way to tell them apart up close: a pike's cheek is fully scaled top to bottom, while a muskie's cheek is scaled only on the top half, and muskie tails come to sharper, more pointed lobes than a pike's rounder tail.

Fall is widely considered peak muskie season, as cooling water triggers an aggressive feeding push before winter. Summer fishing in low light, early morning and evening, is the more consistent secondary window.

Freshest muskellunge stockings

Jun 2, 2026Dana LakeMI49
Jun 2, 2026Otsego LakeMI621
Jun 2, 2026Belleville LakeMI634
Jun 2, 2026Chicagon LakeMI545
Jun 2, 2026McKeever LakeMI66
May 4, 2026Mill Meadow ReservoirUT3,000
Nov 18, 2025Melton Hill LakeTN1,265
Nov 6, 2025Thornapple RiverMI815
Nov 6, 2025Thornapple LakeMI870
Nov 6, 2025Lake HudsonMI1,323
Nov 1, 2025Bruce LakeIN980
Nov 1, 2025Big Barbee LakeIN4,250
Nov 1, 2025Duck LakeIN295
Nov 1, 2025Skinner LakeIN625
Nov 1, 2025Webster LakeIN3,096

Muskellunge — FAQ

Where can I catch muskellunge?+

Muskellunge are stocked across 9 states, led by Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and New York. Pick a state below to see every water stocked with muskellunge.

What's the best bait for muskellunge?+

Bucktails, large glide baits, and jerkbaits in the 8 to 12 inch range are muskie standards. Live sucker fishing under a large float is a slower, more patient approach that still accounts for plenty of trophy fish.

When is the best time to catch muskellunge?+

Fall is widely considered peak muskie season, as cooling water triggers an aggressive feeding push before winter. Summer fishing in low light, early morning and evening, is the more consistent secondary window.

How many waters are stocked with muskellunge?+

157 waters across 9 states hold muskellunge on record, updated daily from agency stocking reports.