The muskellunge is the heart of an addiction for a very unique angler. Those who have caught this fever spend countless hours in the summer heat heaving enormous lures in the hopes of simply catching a glimpse of this toothy beast. They catapult specialty rods, which appear more akin to pole valuing equipment, over and over again until their shoulders ache. They launch brightly-colored baits with enormous hooks, the size of which rivals most other fish in the lake. All this for a prized nicknamed ‘the fish of 10,000 casts’- a title more than earned. But for all the mystique and mystery surrounding this fish, I have to ask, why all the fuss about the muskie?
For most of us who fish, the muskie remains only a figment of the imagination. We are much more familiar with the pinwheeling fight of a bluegill or the ‘tap-tap’ tug of a walleye. Yet, we have all seen the black and white image of Louise Spray next to his record muskie, caught on the Chippewa Flowage in 1949. We can’t help envisioning the fight this nearly 70-pound creature gave and how we would have fared in this battle.
The Fish of 10,000 Casts
It certainly cannot be the frequency of catch which promotes the muskies’ popularity. Double-digit hours on the water commonly results in only one (if not less) muskies being hooked. If a muskie does show interest in your presentation, a ‘follow’ back to the boat certainly does not assure a strike, even with a perfectly executed ‘figure-8’ to finish your cast. For those with little patience, muskie fishing may not be for you.
In addition, the specialty tackle adds another costly element to this venture. The oversized heavy-action rods and dog toy-sized lures also mean nets as deep as you are tall. Not to mention strong line, stout reels, and larger-than-life clips and swivels. If trolling is more your speed, be prepared to use gallons of petroleum strafing miles of rocky ledges and submerged structures. Again, none of this guaranteeing success. One thing is certain, the hunt for the muskie will take a bite out of your wallet.
So Then Why all the Fuss about the Muskie?
Perhaps it is the battle that keeps the muskie angler always on the hunt. This age-old struggle embedded deep in our genetics: the angler fighting for sustenance and the beast fighting for life, each attached to one end of a line. Yet for their sheer size, these fish does not offer a resistance equal to their girth. Muskies’ regularly exceed 40 inches in length, weighing in at over 20 pounds, if not much more.
Muskies are not renowned for drag-screaming runs like that of smallmouth bass or even bluegill, pound-for-pound, despite a tendency for a vicious initial strike. I equate the landing of a muskie to that of a walleye- steady head shakes, a few pulls and pumps, but somewhat lacking in effort. This is not to say a muskie will not launch their giant elongated bodies out of the water in an attempt to shake the hook. This is quite a sight to see.
The experienced muskie angler will pay close attention to the moon phases. The die-hards will put their skills to the test late at night, into the early morning. They will fish by the light of a full moon, long after the rest of us have gone to sleep. All this in an effort to catch and released the fabled monster. Yet, there are few experiences more exciting than witnessing a muskie strike on a top-water lure in the moonlight.
Handle with Care
Once in the net, muskies must be handled with extreme care. Their size betrays them in terms of fragility. Never hang a muskie vertically, as this may cause spinal damage. Always support them under the belly, should you choose to remove them from the water. Take extra care when handling this fish under the jaw, near the gills. Not only is this near the razor-sharp teeth, but muskies are prone to excessive bleeding from this region. When releasing, muskies need to be refreshed in the water. They tire easily, especially so in warmer water. Push and pull the muskie, while horizontal in the water, to move freshwater through its gills. After some time, the muskie will signal its exit with a tail splash as it returns to deeper waters.
As a meal, muskellunge does not compare to a walleye fillet or any deep-fried panfish. It’s cousin, the northern pike, makes for a much better meal once the Y-bone is removed. I have sampled smoked muskie, and I cannot say that I was a fan. Perhaps it is the size of the fish or the fact it is not legally caught through the ice (which lends itself to more firm meat), that works against the muskie as notable table fare.
The King of Freshwater Fish
If not the frequency of catch, or the fight, or the flavor, then why all the fuss about the muskie? Perhaps it is the accomplishment of locating and landing the apex predator in that particular body of water. It is the elusiveness of the muskie, their enigmatic nature, which gives the muskie angler a sense of pride unequal to all other fish. It is this sense of pride which then feeds the fire of addiction, leading to more desire for more muskies. Not for trophies to mount and display, but for the thrill of the hunt. Those adrenaline-driven moments when the hunter is connected to the beast in a primitive tug-of-war.
This is the reason the muskie is the state fish of Wisconsin. Significant efforts have been made to protect this creature so that it may thrive in our native waters for generations to come. The state Department of Natural Resources maintains trophy muskie waters and publishes documents filled with information for both the novice and experienced anglers. Every effort is being made to protect these fragile fish who have a general size limit of 40 inches and 50 inches on trophy waters.
I cannot help but think it is the thought that these toothy creatures lurk just below the surface of the waters we have all swam in as children, which adds to their allure. The passion of the muskie angler is more than likely a combination of all the qualities previously mentioned. It is also very personal to each individual. We all have our own answers to the question, why all the fuss about the muskie?
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