muskellunge

noun

mus·​kel·​lunge ˈmə-skə-ˌlənj How to pronounce muskellunge (audio)
plural muskellunge
: a large North American pike (Esox masquinongy) that has dark markings, may weigh over 60 pounds (27 kilograms), and is a valuable sport fish

Examples of muskellunge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web How to catch them: Northern pike are similar to tiger muskies, which are actually a hybrid of a pike and a species called muskellunge. Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Only one muskellunge may be harvested per angler per license year (April 1 to March 31). Mika Travis, Detroit Free Press, 26 July 2023 Just some of the fish in the lake include bluegill, largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskellunge (muskie), northern pike, sturgeon, sunfish, walleye and yellow perch. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 29 July 2023 Reporting sturgeon and muskellunge harvests Sturgeon and muskellunge permits and harvest tags are no longer required, but your sturgeon or muskellunge harvest must be registered within 24 hours. Mika Travis, Detroit Free Press, 26 July 2023 The native range of the muskellunge, on the other hand, is more confined, covering all the northern Midwest states, Great Lakes and their shorelines, Northeastern Canada, and the Ohio River Valley all the way into Tennessee. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023 The Phillips Chain holds a diverse fish population, including walleyes, northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, black crappies and bluegills, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 7 May 2023 Trophy Trout has proven itself far from sunny SoCal, including in the wintry steelhead fisheries of the Great Lakes, and has also been shown to be effective on muskellunge and Northern pike. Morgan Lyle, Field & Stream, 25 Apr. 2023 Participants also thought standardizing the muskellunge season across the state was a good idea. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muskellunge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Canadian French maskinongé, from Ojibwa ma·skino·še·

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of muskellunge was in 1777

Dictionary Entries Near muskellunge

Cite this Entry

“Muskellunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muskellunge. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

muskellunge

noun
mus·​kel·​lunge ˈməs-kə-ˌlənj How to pronounce muskellunge (audio)
plural muskellunge
: a large North American pike that may weigh over 60 pounds (27 kilograms) and is a valuable sport fish

More from Merriam-Webster on muskellunge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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