Growth Potential of Muskellunge in Northern Wisconsin

Cleithra were used to estimate age and to back-calculate growth histories of muskellunge Esox masquinongy to determine the scope for growth among a range of populations producing small-, medium-, and large-bodied fish in northern Wisconsin.  Wisconsin muskellunge had an average asymptotic length of 45.2 in.  Female muskellunge grew larger (L_∞ = 49.2 in) than males (L_∞ = 41.8 in).  Small-bodied populations had a mean asymptotic length of 38.9 in, medium-bodied populations had a mean asymptotic length of 45.9 in, and large-bodied populations had a mean asymptotic length of 51.9 in.  We conclude that muskellunge in northern Wisconsin reach similar mean asymptotic length as other North American populations.