Musky Fishing Seasons Across North America 2025
Musky Fishing Seasons 2025
United States
Wisconsin
- Northern Zone:
- Southern Zone:
- Notes: Applies to open-water fishing. Specific waterbodies may have exceptions.
Minnesota
- General Inland Waters:
- Notes: Catch-and-release often required in early spring (e.g., March). Confirm exact 2025 dates with Minnesota DNR.
Michigan
- General Inland Waters:
- Great Lakes Waters (Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, Detroit River):
- Notes: 50-inch minimum size limit for Thornapple Lake and Lake Hudson. Catch-and-release allowed year-round.
New York
- Inland Waters:
- Great Lakes Waters (Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River):
- Notes: Fixed season dates apply. Prime spots include Susquehanna, Chenango, Lamoka, Waneta, and Chautauqua waters.
Pennsylvania
- General Waters:
- Notes: Musky fishing may be open year-round in select waters, but harvest is restricted to June–November.
Missouri
- General Waters:
- Notes: Minimum size limit of 36 inches; daily limit of 1 musky or northern pike. Pomme de Terre Lake is a key musky spot.
Illinois
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Illinois DNR
- Notes: Musky fishing is primarily catch-and-release in many waters. Key lakes include Lake Shelbyville and Kinkaid Lake. Minimum size limits (e.g., 36–48 inches) vary by waterbody.
Tennessee
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
- Notes: Musky are found in reservoirs like Melton Hill and Great Falls. Minimum size limit typically 36 inches; daily limit of 1.
Ohio
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Ohio DNR
- Notes: Musky fishing is popular in lakes like Leesville, Clear Fork, and Salt Fork. Minimum size limit of 40 inches; daily limit of 1.
Oklahoma
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
- Notes: Musky are less common but present in some eastern Oklahoma waters (e.g., Illinois River). Regulations focus on catch-and-release with size limits (e.g., 40 inches).
Arkansas
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
- Notes: Musky are stocked in select waters like Lake Greeson. Minimum size limit of 36 inches; daily limit of 1.
Montana
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Notes: Musky are not native and are rare, found in limited waters (e.g., hybrid tiger musky in some reservoirs). Catch-and-release is encouraged.
Idaho
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Idaho Fish and Game
- Notes: Musky are not native; tiger musky are stocked in select lakes (e.g., Little Payette Lake). No specific season, but size limits (e.g., 40 inches) apply.
Utah
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
- Notes: Tiger musky are stocked in waters like Newton Reservoir. Minimum size limit of 40 inches; daily limit of 1.
West Virginia
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: West Virginia DNR
- Notes: Musky are found in rivers like the New and Kanawha. Minimum size limit of 40 inches; daily limit of 2.
Indiana
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Indiana DNR
- Notes: Musky fishing is popular in lakes like Webster and Barbee. Minimum size limit of 36 inches; daily limit of 1.
Kentucky
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
- Notes: Key musky waters include Cave Run Lake and Green River. Minimum size limit of 40 inches; daily limit of 1.
Virginia
-
General Waters:
- Start: Year-round
- End: Year-round
- Source: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Notes: Musky are found in rivers like the New and James. Minimum size limit of 40 inches; daily limit of 1.
Canada
Ontario
-
General Inland Waters (varies by Fisheries Management Zone):
- Start: June 21, 2025 (third Saturday in June, per historical patterns)
- End: December 15, 2025
- Source: Ontario Fishing Regulations
-
Specific Zones:
- Zone 6 (Northwestern Ontario, e.g., Lake Nipigon): Year-round catch-and-release; harvest June 21–December 15, 2025.
- Zone 11 (Northeastern Ontario, e.g., Lake Nipissing): June 21–December 15, 2025.
- Zone 17 (Southern Ontario, e.g., Lake Scugog): June 21–December 15, 2025.
- Notes: Lake Erie is a prime musky spot. Ice fishing extends opportunities in winter, but harvest is restricted.
Manitoba
-
General Waters:
- Start: May 24, 2025 (based on historical patterns)
- End: April 5, 2026
- Source: Manitoba Sustainable Development
- Notes: Musky are found in waters like Lake Winnipeg. Minimum size limit of 40 inches; catch-and-release encouraged.
Quebec
-
General Waters:
- Start: June 15, 2025 (based on historical patterns)
- End: November 30, 2025
- Source: Quebec Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks
- Notes: Musky are present in the St. Lawrence River and select lakes. Minimum size limit of 44 inches; daily limit of 1.
Summary Table
| Region | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin (Northern) | May 24, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | Check waterbody exceptions. |
| Wisconsin (Southern) | May 3, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | Open-water fishing only. |
| Minnesota | June 7, 2025 | Feb 22, 2026 | Catch-and-release in early spring; confirm 2025 dates. |
| Michigan (Inland) | June 7, 2025 | Dec 15, 2025 | 50-inch limit in select lakes; varies by peninsula. |
| Michigan (Great Lakes) | June 7, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | Includes Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, Detroit River. |
| New York (Inland) | June 1, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | Fixed dates; prime spots include Chautauqua waters. |
| New York (Great Lakes) | June 15, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | Includes Lake Erie, Niagara River, St. Lawrence River. |
| Pennsylvania | June 1, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | Year-round catch-and-release in some waters. |
| Missouri | Year-round | Year-round | 36-inch minimum; Pomme de Terre Lake is key. |
| Illinois | Year-round | Year-round | Catch-and-release focus; 36–48-inch limits vary. |
| Tennessee | Year-round | Year-round | 36-inch minimum; Melton Hill is a hotspot. |
| Ohio | Year-round | Year-round | 40-inch minimum; Leesville Lake is popular. |
| Oklahoma | Year-round | Year-round | Rare; 40-inch minimum in eastern waters. |
| Arkansas | Year-round | Year-round | 36-inch minimum; Lake Greeson is stocked. |
| Montana | Year-round | Year-round | Rare; tiger musky in select reservoirs. |
| Idaho | Year-round | Year-round | Tiger musky; 40-inch minimum in Little Payette Lake. |
| Utah | Year-round | Year-round | Tiger musky; 40-inch minimum in Newton Reservoir. |
| West Virginia | Year-round | Year-round | 40-inch minimum; New River is key. |
| Indiana | Year-round | Year-round | 36-inch minimum; Webster Lake is popular. |
| Kentucky | Year-round | Year-round | 40-inch minimum; Cave Run Lake is prime. |
| Virginia | Year-round | Year-round | 40-inch minimum; New River is a hotspot. |
| Ontario (General) | June 21, 2025 | Dec 15, 2025 | Varies by zone; year-round catch-and-release in some areas. |
| Manitoba | May 24, 2025 | Apr 5, 2026 | 40-inch minimum; Lake Winnipeg is key. |
| Quebec | June 15, 2025 | Nov 30, 2025 | 44-inch minimum; St. Lawrence River is prime. |
Additional Notes
- Regional Variations: Northern regions (e.g., Wisconsin, Minnesota) have defined seasons due to colder climates, while southern states (e.g., Missouri, Tennessee) often allow year-round fishing with strict size and bag limits.
- Catch-and-Release: Encouraged outside harvest seasons to protect musky populations, known for their rarity and difficulty to catch.
- Regulation Changes: Temporary or emergency rules may alter seasons. Check for signs at boat landings or online DNR updates.
-
Verification: Confirm regulations with local authorities:
- Wisconsin: dnr.wisconsin.gov
- Minnesota: dnr.state.mn.us
- Michigan: michigan.gov/dnr
- New York: dec.ny.gov
- Pennsylvania: pa.gov
- Missouri: mdc.mo.gov
- Illinois: dnr.illinois.gov
- Tennessee: tn.gov/twra
- Ohio: ohiodnr.gov
- Oklahoma: wildlifedepartment.com
- Arkansas: agfc.com
- Montana: fwp.mt.gov
- Idaho: idfg.idaho.gov
- Utah: wildlife.utah.gov
- West Virginia: wvdnr.gov
- Indiana: in.gov/dnr
- Kentucky: fw.ky.gov
- Virginia: dwr.virginia.gov
- Ontario: ontario.ca/fishing
- Manitoba: gov.mb.ca
- Quebec: mffp.gouv.qc.ca