Skip to main content

Muskellunge

Muskellunge

Muskellunge in North Dakota are not native but have been successfully established through nearly 20 years of stocking by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

The state's cool temperatures and excellent water quality provide ideal conditions for both pure muskellunge and tiger muskies (hybrids between female muskellunge and male northern pike) to flourish.

North Dakota's muskies are growing to trophy sizes in waters with minimal fishing pressure, matching the size classes of traditional Northwoods destinations.

Also known as tiger muskies (hybrids between female muskellunge and male northern pike)

Physical Characteristics:
  • These apex predators can exceed 50 inches in length.
  • The current state record muskellunge was caught in New Johns Lake in 2007, weighing 46 pounds 8 ounces, though a 54-inch, 46-pound fish was taken from Lake Audubon.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • These apex predators are found in select waters throughout the state.
  • They prefer deeper, cooler summer water since they cannot tolerate very warm temperatures.

Key Locations

  • During the past two decades, both tiger and pure muskies have been stocked in 17 North Dakota waters, with Lake Audubon, Lake Ashtabula, and Garrison Diversion Lakes (New Johns Lake and East Park Lake) receiving the bulk of recent stockings.
  • Prime locations include Lake Audubon (16,000 acres with 115 miles of shoreline, median depth 19 feet reaching nearly 60 feet) and New Johns Lake (680 acres, 20-foot average depth with 30-foot maximum).

Specific Spots

  • Target structure, drop-offs, weed edges, and areas near deep water.
  • Lake Audubon offers diverse structure including deep holes, shallows, islands, rocks, and abundant structure perfect for ambush predators.
  • New Johns Lake features multiple large basins surrounded by steep 8-20 foot drops.

Muskellunge FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Muskellunge in North Dakota?

Effective lures include bucktails, jerk baits, crankbaits, topwater plugs, large spoons, and spinner-baits. Natural colors work well in clear water (walleye, perch, bass, sucker, shad patterns), while bright colors (Orange Tiger, FireTiger, Cobra Perch, Black Perch, frog patterns) are better in cloudy water.

When is the best time to fish for Muskellunge in North Dakota?

The best muskellunge fishing in North Dakota occurs during fall months (September and October) when fish are most active and feeding heavily before winter. Spawning occurs in spring when water temperatures reach optimal levels - this period should be avoided by anglers to protect reproductive fish.

How do you catch Muskellunge in North Dakota?

Target structure, drop-offs, weed edges, and areas near deep water. Lake Audubon is ideal for shoreline fishing or trolling. New Johns Lake is excellent for trolling.

What do Muskellunge eat?

Muskies feed primarily on soft-rayed fish including cisco, white sucker, carp, walleye, pike, perch, bass, bluegill, and other available forage. They prefer larger prey items and require good-sized forage to reach trophy dimensions. In Lake Audubon, cisco provide excellent larger-sized prey.

Where do Muskellunge live in North Dakota?

These apex predators are found in select waters throughout the state. They prefer deeper, cooler summer water since they cannot tolerate very warm temperatures.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Muskellunge.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Muskellunge water

    Pick Muskellunge and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Muskellunge

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Muskellunge are.

Open the map, filter by Muskellunge, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

North Dakota licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore North Dakota waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.