By Dan Zarlenga, Missouri Department of Conservation
Photo caption: Some say it’s an elusive myth, while still others tell stories of tangible encounters with the mysterious muskellunge.
Photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation
The giant lake shimmers with the rising sun. Early morning mist caresses the water in an ethereal cloak. These aquatic depths conceal a monster of mythical proportions. A long and sinuous predator, its jaws bristle with sharp teeth to devour hapless prey. Some say the creature is an elusive myth, while still others tell stories of tangible encounters with the monster. Suddenly, something ripples the surface, a long shape glides under the mist. If this were a certain lake in Scotland, it might be the Loch Ness Monster!
But this is Missouri. And the “monster” is a real, if mysterious, aquatic creature found in some of our state’s own waters: the muskellunge.
The largest member of the pike family, muskellunge (or muskies for short) can reach four feet in length and grow to 50 lbs. They live for 15 years or so. Muskies are not native to the Show-Me-State. The Missouri Department of Conservation stocks them in a handful of large lakes and reservoirs throughout Missouri, including Lake 35 at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles.
The appearance of a muskie is determined in part by the waters in which it lives. In Missouri, they tend to feature stunning dark bars against a silvery body, making them look particularly intimidating sliding through the water.
Like a true monster, muskellunge are predators. They use cunning ambush tactics to overcome prey, such as minnows, small gizzard shad, common carp, and other small fish. These tactics have earned muskies the title “water wolves”. They can sometimes be glimpsed cruising open waters, usually looking for schools of gizzard shad. Since they are a cool-water fish, muskies tend to go deeper during the summer. Cooling water temperatures make November an ideal time to try and spot one.
Muskellunge are originally native to the upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions. They were first introduced as sportfish in Missouri in the 1960s. There is no evidence that muskellunge successfully reproduce here. Other predators like largemouth bass devour their tiny young, so their populations in Show-Me-State waters are sustained by stocking alone.
The Loch Ness Monster casts a certain obsession over those who seek it. Muskies do the same. They are popular with a niche of passionate anglers who revere the chance to pursue them. Muskies are known as “the fish of 10,000 casts” because the wary fish are so adept at eluding the angler’s hook.
But when that “10,000th” cast does come a muskie can be a thrill to work. They strike viciously and put up a challenging and exciting fight. Muskies also have a habit of following lures right up to the boat, sometimes hitting one within a foot or two of the gunnel. Bagging a trophy-sized muskie is considered top bragging rights! Yet anglers often choose to throw them back. Perhaps they hope the monster will grow bigger still when it reunites with their line, after the next 10,000 casts.
The muskellunge is indeed an elusive monster of select Missouri waters. Even so, with enough casts and perseverance, it’s safe to say there are still much better odds of catching one of these monsters than the one in Loch Ness.