Muskellunge

By: Brody Irwin

Information

• Common name- Muskellunge (Muskie)

• Scientific name- Esox masquinongy

Book trout

Muskie

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Osteichthyes

Size

• Length- 40 inches

• Weight- $40 pounds

Habitat

• Prime muskellunge habitat is found in heavily vegetated lakes with lots of tree stumps and bays. Prime stream muskellunge habitat is generally considered to be long pools (at least 0.2 miles in length) with a minimum depth of at least three to four feet and an abundance of submerged woody structure.

Distribution

• Fresh water streams in eastern North America.

• Fresh lakes in North America.

Evolve• Around 390 million years ago. (bony fish)

Feeding habits

• Primarily fish such as suckers and sunfish. But muskellunge will eat anything they can swallow. In addition to various fish they have been known to eat amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Breeding

• Spawning occurs during April or May in shallow areas of pools where the current will flow over the eggs. Females are usually larger than males and mature a year earlier. There is no parental care given to the eggs or young.

How many are there?

Statistics

• Can grow up to 60 inches in length.

• Females larger than males

Humans

• Not harvested for food, but could be used if wanted.

• Competition fishing

Quiz

• What is my fishes name?– A) Muskellunge– B) Liger– C) Barracuda– D) Trout

#2

• What kingdom is the Muskellunge in?– A) Protista– B) Animalia– C) Plantae

#3

• True/False: The Muskellunge is NOT a poisonous fish.

#4

• Where is the Muskellunge located?• A) Africa• B) Japan• C) Eastern North America• D) Panama Canal

#5

• True/False: Is the male Muskellunge smaller than the female?