Muskellunge Fishing in Pennsylvania
The Muskellunge is the largest member of the Pike family, with the world record 69 pound, 15 oz fish having been caught in the St. Lawrence River in 1957. Muskellunge ("muskie" for short) are found in about half of the 50 states, including Pennsylvania, primarily in the Northeast. They are among the rarer game fish in North America and are known for their speed and exceptional strength on short runs.
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Habitat
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Muskellunge prefer clear water with temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees; in Pennsylvania they can be found in natural lakes, reservoirs, major rivers and small streams. Most muskies are caught in the western region of the state. The best muskellunge habitat is often in lakes with abundant vegetation and submerged woody structure, or in creeks and rivers with long pools with a minimum depth of at least 3 to 4 feet.
Bait and Lures
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Live bait and artificial lures are effective for muskie fishing. According to veteran Pennsylvania Muskie fisherman Denny Barrett, live bait generally produces better in the colder water, during spring and again in late fall and winter. He recommends chubs and suckers in the 6- to 8-inch range. When it comes to lures, large saltwater-sized plugs and soft plastics get the call. They are usually trolled for depth and speed control or thrashed through the water at high speeds.
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Tackle
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Leaders, line weight and types of rods and reels vary according to preference; but for trolling, a heavy action 6-foot solid fiberglass rod with a trolling reel and 20-pound-test line does the job. For casting, a 6-foot graphite, medium-heavy rod with a spinning reel works well with slightly lighter line. Twelve-inchleaders of 30 pound test or so can be used, but some prefer not to use them with artificial baits because they can interfere with the action of the lure.
Location
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Pennsylvania offers ample muskellunge water. The Allegheny River is one of the best known, and it is heavily fished, but most fishermen on the river target walleyes, making things easier on those who target muskies. Pymatuning Lake, near the Ohio border in Crawford County, was been a growing muskie water since the 1970s. Lake Somerset in Somerset County is a much smaller reservoir but has excellent fishing and is also reported to have equally good muskellunge fishing from shore and boat. Lake Erie and its tributaries are prime destinations. The state's largest natural lake, Conneaut Lake, has had a deserved reputation as a muskie producer--a 54-pound monster was caught there in 1924.
Seasons and Limits
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Muskellunge fishing is open year-round in Pennsylvania, with a daily limit of one fish. The minimum length limit is 40 inches across most of the state, but this varies in some waters. Exceptions and further details can be found in the official Pennsylvania Fishing Summary book.
Tips
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Muskellunge are rare, and they are difficult to catch for professionals and beginners, earning them the nickname, "fish of 10,000 casts." Catching a fish a day is considered a successful muskie trip, so do not be discouraged by slow fishing; persistence will eventually pay off.
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