Muskellunge across Minnesota
Finding and keeping muskellunge under Minnesota rules.
- 1 (minimum size 54")limit
- 55 lb 14 ozrecord
Pick for muskellungePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not of a Minnesota water: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Where muskellunge fit in Minnesota
The DNR files Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) under the pike family. The inland waters (statewide) rule allows 1 (minimum size 54″); season June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026.
Mille Lacs Lake gave up the state record of 55 lb 14 oz in 2021. Survey crews found it in 120 lakes, 124 of which have pages. At 6.44 per gill net, Shoepack Lake, St. Louis County leads the lakes on this site.
For the muskellunge herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 The DNR profile of muskellunge
“Muskies may indeed be elusive. But it is their low numbers in a lake – not craftiness – that makes them hard to catch. That's true in waters where they naturally occur and where DNR stocks them.”
“Many anglers are attracted to muskie because of their potential to get big. That same potential draws concern from others who believe the diets of bigger fish make fewer fish available to anglers. Despite the muskie's potential to attain large sizes, studies of predator diets and fish communities that contain muskie found muskie do not adversely impact gamefish populations.”
“Muskies are native to Minnesota lakes and rivers.”
- Muskellunge: six or more pores on each side under jaw; paired fins with more pointed tips; tail with pointed tips; coloration clear, spotted or barred with vertical dark markings on a light background.identification
- The foolproof way to tell a muskie from a northern pike is to count the pores on one side of the underside of the jaw.identification
- But it is their low numbers in a lake – not craftiness – that makes them hard to catch.habitat
- That's true in waters where they naturally occur and where DNR stocks them.habitat
- muskiealso called
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
The muskellunge limit
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Minnesota record muskellunge
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 55 lb 14 oz | Mille Lacs Lake | Mille Lacs | 2021 |
| catch and release | 58.25 in | Mille Lacs Lake | Mille Lacs | 2022 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Where the muskellunge surveys ran highest
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoepack Lake, St. Louis County | 6.44 | 2.3 | 3.62 | 1999 |
| Homestead Lake | 6 | 2.73 | 2014 | |
| Boot Lake near Ranier, St. Louis County | 5.33 | 2.3 | 3.03 | 1999 |
| Bouder Lake | 4 | 1.2-4.8 | 4.06 | 2014 |
| Needle Boy Lake | 3.5 | 3.0-3.7 | 3.57 | 1984 |
| Harris Lake, Lake County | 2 | 1.2-4.8 | 3.76 | 2025 |
| Lichen Lake | 1.5 | 1.2-4.8 | 3.99 | 2014 |
| Dumbbell Lake | 0.88 | 1.7-5.4 | 6.63 | 2023 |
| Elk Lake, Clearwater County | 0.67 | 0.2-0.5 | 8.07 | 2025 |
| Little Wolf Lake, Cass County | 0.56 | 0.2-6.8 | 5.55 | 2024 |
| Deep Lake, Ramsey County | 0.5 | 8.18 | 1995 | |
| Slip Lake | 0.5 | 3.0-3.7 | 3.77 | 2014 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Minnesota waters to try for muskellunge
Lakes with muskellunge
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Mille Lacs Lake128,250 acres
- Leech Lake103,444 acres
- Lake Winnibigoshish56,471 acres
- Vermilion Lake39,272 acres
- Cass Lake15,958 acres
- Lake Minnetonka14,206 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Gull Lake, Cass County10,010 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Island Lake Reservoir8,001 acres
- Pokegama Lake, Itasca County6,721 acres
- Bemidji Lake (main lake)6,596 acres
- Miltona Lake5,731 acres
- West Battle Lake5,615 acres
- Green Lake, Kandiyohi County5,569 acres
- North Lida Lake5,523 acres
- Woman Lake5,520 acres
- Pike Bay, Cass County4,756 acres
- Ida Lake, Douglas County4,445 acres
- Deer Lake near Deer River, Itasca County4,093 acres
- Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County3,962 acres
- Big Lake, Beltrami County3,598 acres
Streams with muskellunge
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Trips for muskellunge
- Superior Pursuits Charter FishingLake Superior charter, Lake Superior, Duluth, (906) 360-7513
Fish grouped with muskellunge
- Northern pikepike family
- Tiger muskellungepike family
Photos of places near Muskellunge
Photo: Jon Platek, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: chief_huddleston, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Minnesota muskellunge, asked by anglers
What is the limit on muskellunge?
1 (minimum size 54") (Inland waters (statewide)), season June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026.
What is the Minnesota record muskellunge?
55 lb 14 oz from Mille Lacs Lake (2021).
Which waters produce muskellunge?
Shoepack Lake, St. Louis County leads the DNR gill net catch at 6.44 per net; 126 waters on this site list it.
Are muskellunge on the stocking pages?
19 rows on the DNR area stocking pages, such as Island Lake Reservoir.
What scientific name does the DNR use for muskellunge?
Muskellunge: six or more pores on each side under jaw; paired fins with more pointed tips; tail with pointed tips; coloration clear, spotted or barred with vertical dark markings on a light background.
Is muskellunge season open right now in Minnesota?
June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026
Is a stamp needed for muskellunge?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Do Minnesota guides take trips for muskellunge?
1 guide list it, including Superior Pursuits Charter Fishing.