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Stocking schedule by species

Muskellunge stocking schedule — all states.

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Muskie are stocked as fingerlings (8–12 inches) and take 5–7 years to reach legal size (typically 36–50 inches depending on state). They disperse to weed lines, deep structure, and ambush positions immediately and feed on smaller fish from day one. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Tennessee maintain the largest muskie stocking programs.

National calendar

Typical muskellunge stocking calendar.

Across the 16 states that stock muskellunge, the typical stocking months are below. Specific dates and waters vary by state — consult each agency report.

JanJan — no stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingFebFeb — no stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingMarMar — no stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingAprApr — no stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingMayMay — moderate stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingJunJun — moderate stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingJulJul — no stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingAugAug — no stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingSepSep — moderate stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingOctOct — moderate stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingNovNov — no stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerlingDecDec — no stocking Muskellunge typical size: 8–12 inch fingerling
Typical stocking size8–12 inch fingerling
Stocking water temperature55–75°F

Targeting

Newly-stocked muskellunge.

Catchable-size stocked muskie behave like wild muskie — they hold on weed edges, deep structure, and ambush points. Large bucktails, crankbaits, and topwater plugs are standard. Trophy muskie waters require specialized heavy tackle and barbless hooks for catch-and-release.

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States

That stock muskellunge.

8 states have notable muskellunge stocking programs. Click through for the state-specific schedule and official agency report.

Muskellunge stocking alerts — your home water.

Bield Fish parses agency stocking reports across states and pushes alerts when muskellunge hit your saved waters.

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