The cost of an annual individual membership is $35.00, a family membership is $47.50.         

No! Everyone is welcome! One of the primary goals of the Chapter is to provide information about Muskies to all fisherman.

It means Catch - Photo - Release. Muskies Inc. originated and pioneered the catch and release concept, commonly used with many species today. Release rates have averaged 99% plus since the 1990's. This release program, in reality, is another stocking effort and does more to perpetuate this great sport than any other single program. The photo is taken quickly so the fish can be returned to the water with the least amount of stress. Some people practice C-P-R-P which includes an extra photo during the release. Among other things this can provide documentation of the release.

• Only keep the fish out of the water for as long as you can hold your own breath.

The species name “ Esox masquinongy” comes from an Ojibwa (Chippewa) name for the fish–“mas,” meaning “ugly,” and “kinononge,” meaning “fish.” They are known as Muskellunge, and Muskie/Musky is derived from that.

Muskie is mostly a Minnesota spelling and Musky is the Wisconsin version. Depending on where you began fishing for muskies, that will be the way you spell it. Muskies Magazine was first published in Minnesota, where Muskies Inc. was founded. On the other hand, Musky Hunter Magazine was founded and is published in Wisconsin. The Musky is the official State Fish of Wisconsin.
So, either spelling is correct. In both cases, the plural form is spelled Muskies with an ie.

Tiger Muskies are long, slender fish with vertical "tiger" stripes. They are a cross between two non-native, predatory species: the northern pike and the muskellunge. As hybrids they are sterile and thus grow relatively fast.

No, only sterile Tiger Muskies are carefully stocked by the WDFW in Washington lakes. The primary purpose is to control nuisance fish and provide an exciting sport fishery.

Tiger muskies were first introduced to Mayfield Lake in southwest Washington's Lewis County in 1988 to rebuild a local Coho salmon population by controlling the squawfish that preyed upon them. Spokane County's Newman Lake received tiger muskies in 1992 to control carp and stunted populations of perch and bluegill. The third lake to be planted with Muskies was Curlew Lake in 1998. WDFW has also made one-time plants in several lakes for rough fish control purposes, including Fazon Lake in Whatcom County, Green Lake in Seattle, Red Rock Reservoir in Grant County south of Potholes Reservoir, and South Lewis County Pond (multiple plantings in this lake). Since these lakes are no longer being stocked, and the planted fish were sterile and only live 8-10 years on average, it is unlikely any specimens still survive in any of those waters.

Seven lakes: Lake Tapps, Mayfield Lake, Merwin Reservoir, Newman Lake and Silver Lake near Spokane, Evergreen Reservoir near Quincy and Curlew Lake in Ferry County.

The answer varies depending on whether you're talking about Pure bred Muskies or sterile Tiger Muskies, and where they live. And who you ask. But under ideal conditions Pure bred Muskies can grow up to 72 inches and in some cases live more than 20 years. 50-60 inches and 15-20 years is probably typical if they aren't stressed. Tiger Muskies will grow to between 40-50 inches and live 8-10 years under good conditions. In both cases females generally grow faster and live longer than males. The age of a Muskie can be determined by counting the layers of bone in the Cleithrum, but of course this can't be done when practicing C-P-R.

Effective May 1, 2008, the minimum size limit increases to 50 inches. Prior to May 1, 2008 the minimum size limit for tiger muskies in Washington State is 36". Under both regulations there is a one fish per day limit and C-P-R fish don't count against the limit. Please handle them properly.

There are a number of ways to calculate the weight of a Muskie based on it's length and girth. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lot of consistency in the formulas, although they do seem to come up with relatively similar results. The most commonly used formula is girth X girth X (length / 800). Please see our Estimating Muskie Weights page in our MuskyU section for more details. There are similar weight calculators for many other species of fish.

The 31.25 lb. fish caught by John Bays from Mayfield Lake on a plastic scampy shrimp holds the official state record. Mike Nielsen's 31.15 lb. fish from Merwin Lake was also caught on an artificial lure in 2005 (unofficial weight on non-certified hatchery scale; fish was released back into Merwin Lake after being weighed at the state hatchery).

The 54 inch, 51 lb. 3 oz. tiger muskie caught from Lac Vieux Desert by John Knobla in 1919. The largest caught by a woman is the 53 inch, 50 lb. 4 oz. fish caught by Delores Ott Lapp from the same lake in 1951. These are the only two tiger muskies over 50 lbs. ever caught. The State of Wisconsin claims the record for pure bred Muskies at 69 pounds and 11 ounces.

Starting in 2008 Required Boaters Safety Education Cards are being phased in in Washington State. The State Parks Department has a FAQ about the cards including how to get one. The cards are valid in Canada and all States that require them. Safety is a priority to Muskies, Inc., we encourage our members to get a card. The Parks site has a list of Course Options.

The Idaho Fish and Game site lets you look up stocking history for different fish in different waters (sorted by Region) dating back to 1967. The Panhandle region has 4 waters that have been stocked with Muskies starting in 1989. The Clearwater Region has 9, the Southwest Region has stocked 9 waters, the Southeast Region has 5 stocked waters, and the Salmon Region has stocked 4 waters. The Upper Snake Region has only stocked two waters, "Mud Lake" and "Mud Lake and adjacent". But Mud Lake alone has received over 169,000 Muskies since 1988. Dog Creek Reservoir is the only water in the Magic Valley (South Central Idaho) Region, but it has been stocked 8 times since 1989 with a total of 2,327 fish. If you're interested in going to Idaho for Muskies check the above page for information about specific waters. Also check the Fishing Season and Rules page to see what the restrictions are. It appears that (as of the 2008 season) there is a bag limit of 2 Muskies, with a minimum size of 40 inches. Check for exceptions on specific waters. And for the most current information see License, Tag and Permit Fees.