Muskellunge Fishing in Minnesota
The ‘fish of 10,000 casts.’ Minnesota has world-class muskie fishing, especially in Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, and Vermilion. Catch-and-release is the norm.
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
The 'fish of 10,000 casts.' Minnesota has world-class muskie fishing, especially in Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, and Vermilion. Catch-and-release is the norm.
Size Limit
54 inches (most waters)
Daily Bag
1
Season
Early June through mid-December
State Record
54 lb 0 oz
Lake Winnibigoshish (1957)
Best Months to Fish
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
What to Use
Live Bait & Natural
Large suckersCisco
Lures & Artificials
BucktailsBulldawgsGlide baitsTopwater walk-the-dogRubber ducks
Minnesota Lakes with Muskellunge
112 lakes in our directory have muskellunge — sorted by size.
Lake of the Woods (MN)
Lake of the Woods County
725,582.7 acres
Mille Lacs
Mille Lacs County
128,250.02 acres
Leech
Cass County
103,443.8 acres
Winnibigoshish
Cass County
56,471.4 acres
Vermilion
St. Louis County
39,272.25 acres
Cass
Beltrami County
15,958.25 acres
Minnetonka
Hennepin County
14,205.54 acres
Gull
Cass County
10,009.97 acres
Island Lake Reservoir
St. Louis County
8,000.51 acres
Pokegama
Itasca County
6,721.3 acres
Bemidji (main lake)
Beltrami County
6,595.93 acres
Miltona
Douglas County
5,730.99 acres
Regulation Notes
Minimum size varies by water. Practice careful catch-and-release.
More Minnesota Fish Species
Plan Your Muskellunge Trip
Find lakes, guides, and bait shops for your next muskellunge fishing trip in Minnesota.
Explore Lakes Find a Guide Bait & TackleRegulations shown are statewide defaults. Some waters have special regulations — always check the current Minnesota DNR regulations before fishing. A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+.