State Fish Of Wisconsin

State Fish Of Wisconsin

The Fish “Muskellunge” Is The State Fish Of Wisconsin. Wisconsin designated the muskellunge (Esox masquinongy Mitchell) or “muskie” as the official Wisconsin State Fish in 1955. The Muskellunge was recommended as the state fish because of the dominance of Wisconsin muskies in competition over the years. The trout fish was also suggested as the state fish but failed to pass because it wasn’t nearly as popular as the musky. 

The muskellunge looks and behaves like a huge northern pike. State Fish Of Wisconsin has an elongated body, a flat head, and its fins are set far back in its body. Muskellunge are light silver, brown, or green in color with dark vertical stripes or spots on the sides and white bellies. Females are longer and heavier than males. Wisconsin State Fish “Muskies” are highly prized by Midwestern anglers for their massive size, the difficulty of catching them, and their fighting ability. To feed, they lurk behind shaded spots or in weed beds and then explode forward to grab passing prey, which they then swallow whole.

 

PHYSICAL DETAILS

Length: Up to 59 in (150 cm); average of 36 in (90 cm)

Weight: Up to 69.6 lbs (32 kg); average of 10 lbs (4.4 kg)

 

LIFESPAN

Up to 30 years

 

HABITAT

Clear, deep lakes and large, slow-moving rivers along weed edges, sand bars, or rock outcroppings. In summer, State Fish Of Wisconsin muskies have both a shallow habitat and a deeper one.

 

Range: The Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada from Manitoba and North Dakota in the west to Ontario and upstate New York in the east.

Water Type: Freshwater

Water Temp: 33-78°F (0-23°C)

Conservation Status: Least concern

 

DIET

Fish (including other muskellunge), frogs, crayfish, and occasionally young mice, shrews, muskrats, and ducklings.

 

REPRODUCTION

Fertilization: External

Spawning frequency: Mid-April to mid-June

Mating behavior: Distinct pairing

Egg-laying: The female Wisconsin State Fish will swim along the shoreline with one or two males following nearby. The eggs are scattered at random over the weedy lake or river bottoms and fertilized by the male(s). Adults do not guard the eggs or young.

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