Missouri Department of Conservation

Muskie

No other freshwater fish offers the combination of size, strength, ferociousness, and "big game" appeal as the muskie. Just the chance of encountering one of these toothy giants is enough to keep die-hard muskie anglers casting for days.

Exciting as they are, muskie are not native to Missouri. Their native range covers a large area in North America, from Canada all the way south to Kentucky. Originally, muskie stocked in Missouri came from several northern states, including Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Muskie living in their native cooler climates tend to have somewhat different life histories than those living in warmer climates, such as Missouri. Muskie that are stocked in Missouri typically grow faster, but don’t live as long and often don't reach the maximum sizes seen in their northern native range. While northern muskies stocked in Missouri provide many hours of fishing enjoyment, they rarely, if ever, exceed 50 inches in length, which is a "trophy" goal for many muskie anglers.

Although opportunities to catch muskie were once restricted to more northerly waters, regular stocking in several Missouri lakes has produced outstanding muskie fisheries. If the thought of catching one of these tackle-busting predators is appealing to you, give one of Missouri's many muskie lakes a try. Once you've had your first muskie encounter you'll be hooked!

Muskie Angling Methods

Muskie are known as the "fish of 10,000 casts" because of the considerable amount of time anglers often spend in search of this elusive fish. Browse muskie regulations, fishing methods and tips for safe release.

Muskie Lakes

MDC stocks muskie at four major locations in Missouri: Hazel Creek Lake, Lake 35 at Busch Conservation Area, Pomme de Terre Lake and Fellows Lake in Springfield.

Muskie Management Plan

Initiated at Pomme de Terre Lake in 1966, Missouri's muskie program provides Missourians an opportunity to fish for muskie without having to leave the state, as well as a trophy fishery with a predator that preys upon large, non-game fishes.

Show-Me Muskie Project

Want to help improve Missouri's muskellunge-management program? It's easy. Just enroll in the project, fill out a form every time you fish for muskie, and return in your forms once a year. Learn about the project and get the forms here.