Ontario Species Guide
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy · also called: Muskie, Musky, Fish of 10,000 casts
Ontario is the world capital of trophy muskie. Fish of 50+ inches are landed every season in Georgian Bay, the Ottawa River, and Lake of the Woods. Muskie fishing is a specialist's game — big rods, big lures, and big patience.
Identification
Dark vertical bars or spots on a lighter olive/gold background, cheeks and gill covers only half-scaled, six or more sensory pores on the underside of the jaw. Larger and slimmer than a same-length pike.
Habitat & where to find them
Deep rock, main-lake points, mid-lake humps, and edges of major weed flats. In fall, follow ciscoes and whitefish into deeper water.
Best baits & lures
Baits
- Live suckers (fall trophy season)
Lures
- 12–14" bucktails
- Double-bladed inline spinners
- Big rubber (Bulldawg, Medussa)
- Glide baits
- Topwater (Hi-Fin, Top Raider)
Pro tactics
- Fish moon phases — the 3 days around the full and new moon are historically the best.
- Learn a proper figure-8 at the boat. 40%+ of muskie strikes come at boatside.
- Late October–November: livebait rigging with 14" suckers over deep breaks produces the biggest fish of the year.
Watch Muskellunge fishing videos
Hand-picked YouTube searches for Muskellunge in Ontario — how-to walkthroughs, gear breakdowns, and on-water footage.
Opens a live YouTube search in a new tab — results reflect the latest uploads.
Regulations
1 fish possession, 54" minimum length in most FMZs. Some zones (Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake) have 40" min.
Always confirm before your trip: Ontario Fishing Rules & Licences.
Frequently asked questions
When does muskie season open in Ontario?
Most FMZs open on the third Saturday of June and run to December 15. Check your zone for exact dates and length limits.
What's the minimum size to keep a muskie in Ontario?
54 inches in most FMZs, 40 inches in a few northwestern zones. Nearly all Ontario muskie anglers practice catch-and-release regardless.