Muskellunge

The muskellunge is native to lake and rivers in the Rainy and upper Mississippi river drainages, and the lower Mississippi River. Muskellunge normally live in lakes and slow-moving rivers with clear water and numerous underwater weed beds. They prefer cool water where temperatures stay below 26° C (80 °F), but they can endure temperatures as high as 32° C (90° F) for a limited time. Muskellunges or muskies as they are often called most often reside in water less than 4.5 m (15 ft) deep. the muskie eats perch, suckers, catfish, minnows, sunfishes and probably any other fish available in its habitat. Larger muskies will attack and consume nearly any living animal, including small rodents, waterfowl and muskrats. Northern pike, bass, sunfish and yellow perch as well as some aquatic insects prey upon young muskies and severely reduce their numbers. Those that survive to adulthood probably need only fear bears, large birds of prey and people. People indeed, can be a serious enemy - the extreme desirability of this fish, coupled with its habit of spawning in shallows with little caution, sometimes leads to poaching.