Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

Ohio's ultimate trophy fish — the 'fish of 10,000 casts.'

Size Limit

30 inches

Daily Bag

Season

Year-round

State Record

55 lbs 2 oz

Piedmont Lake (1972)

Best Months to Fish

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

What to Use

Live Bait & Natural

large suckerslarge shiners

Lures & Artificials

bucktailslarge jerkbaitscrankbaits topwaterrubber ducks

Overview

Muskellunge are Ohio’s ultimate trophy fish. Leesville Lake, Clear Fork Reservoir, Piedmont Lake, Salt Fork Lake, and West Branch Reservoir are top muskie waters. Ohio DNR stocks muskellunge in select reservoirs. The state record 55-lb 2-oz muskie from Piedmont Lake has stood since 1972.

Ohio Lakes with Muskellunge

9 lakes in our directory have muskellunge — sorted by size.

Pymatuning Lake

Crawford County

12,976.6 acres

Seneca Lake

Noble County

3,549.6 acres

Alum Creek Lake

Delaware County

3,331.2 acres

Salt Fork Lake

Guernsey County

3,059.8 acres

Caesar Creek Lake

Warren County

2,806.1 acres

Piedmont Lake

Belmont County

2,376.9 acres

Paint Creek Lake

Highland County

1,177.2 acres

Clear Fork Reservoir

Richland County

1,033.9 acres

Leesville Lake

Carroll County

1,011.7 acres

Regulation Notes

Catch and release encouraged on many waters

More Ohio Fish Species

Largemouth Bass

Black Bass

Freshwater Drum

Drum

Channel Catfish

Catfish

Bluegill

Sunfish

Yellow Perch

Perch

Flathead Catfish

Catfish

View all fish species →

Plan Your Muskellunge Trip

Find lakes, guides, and bait shops for your next muskellunge fishing trip in Ohio.

Explore Lakes Find a Guide Bait & Tackle

Regulations shown are statewide defaults. Some waters have special regulations — always check the current Ohio DNR regulations before fishing. An Ohio fishing license is required for ages 16+.