Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
Summary 2
Family: Esocidae
Muskellunge(Esox masquinongy) are a popular sport fish. Ambush hunters that lurk in vegetation, moving slowly through the water and lunging at unwary fishes that get too close. They will eat fish half their own size. Large individuals will also eat frogs, mice, ducklings, etc. Most common in big lakes with lots of aquatic plants. Wisconsin’s official state fish.
How to recognize: Elongate body. ‘Duck-billed’ mouth full of sharp teeth. Coloration is diffuse dark bars over a green background. Only upper half of cheek covered by scales. Only upper half of gill cover has scales. Up to 4 feet /1.2 meters long.
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