Musky Fishing Seasons Across North America 2025

Written on 05/12/2025
Jodie Paul

Musky Fishing Seasons 2025

United States

Wisconsin

  • Northern Zone:
    • Start: May 24, 2025
    • End: December 31, 2025
    • Source: Wisconsin DNR
  • Southern Zone:
    • Start: May 3, 2025
    • End: December 31, 2025
    • Source: Wisconsin DNR
  • Notes: Applies to open-water fishing. Specific waterbodies may have exceptions.

Minnesota

  • General Inland Waters:
    • Start: June 7, 2025 (first Saturday in June, per historical patterns)
    • End: February 22, 2026 (based on historical patterns)
    • Source: Minnesota DNR
  • Notes: Catch-and-release often required in early spring (e.g., March). Confirm exact 2025 dates with Minnesota DNR.

Michigan

  • General Inland Waters:
    • Start: June 7, 2025 (first Saturday in June)
    • End: December 15, 2025 (Upper Peninsula); November 30, 2025 (Lower Peninsula)
    • Source: Michigan DNR
  • Great Lakes Waters (Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, Detroit River):
    • Start: June 7, 2025
    • End: December 31, 2025
    • Source: Michigan DNR
  • Notes: 50-inch minimum size limit for Thornapple Lake and Lake Hudson. Catch-and-release allowed year-round.

New York

  • Inland Waters:
    • Start: June 1, 2025
    • End: November 30, 2025
    • Source: New York DEC
  • Great Lakes Waters (Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River):
    • Start: June 15, 2025
    • End: November 30, 2025
    • Source: New York DEC
  • Notes: Fixed season dates apply. Prime spots include Susquehanna, Chenango, Lamoka, Waneta, and Chautauqua waters.

Pennsylvania

  • General Waters:
    • Start: June 1, 2025 (aligned with regional trends)
    • End: November 30, 2025 (harvest season; year-round catch-and-release in some waters)
    • Source: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
  • Notes: Musky fishing may be open year-round in select waters, but harvest is restricted to June–November.

Missouri

  • General Waters:
    • Start: Year-round
    • End: Year-round
    • Source: Missouri Department of Conservation
  • 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

RegionStart DateEnd DateNotes
Wisconsin (Northern)May 24, 2025Dec 31, 2025Check waterbody exceptions.
Wisconsin (Southern)May 3, 2025Dec 31, 2025Open-water fishing only.
MinnesotaJune 7, 2025Feb 22, 2026Catch-and-release in early spring; confirm 2025 dates.
Michigan (Inland)June 7, 2025Dec 15, 202550-inch limit in select lakes; varies by peninsula.
Michigan (Great Lakes)June 7, 2025Dec 31, 2025Includes Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, Detroit River.
New York (Inland)June 1, 2025Nov 30, 2025Fixed dates; prime spots include Chautauqua waters.
New York (Great Lakes)June 15, 2025Nov 30, 2025Includes Lake Erie, Niagara River, St. Lawrence River.
PennsylvaniaJune 1, 2025Nov 30, 2025Year-round catch-and-release in some waters.
MissouriYear-roundYear-round36-inch minimum; Pomme de Terre Lake is key.
IllinoisYear-roundYear-roundCatch-and-release focus; 36–48-inch limits vary.
TennesseeYear-roundYear-round36-inch minimum; Melton Hill is a hotspot.
OhioYear-roundYear-round40-inch minimum; Leesville Lake is popular.
OklahomaYear-roundYear-roundRare; 40-inch minimum in eastern waters.
ArkansasYear-roundYear-round36-inch minimum; Lake Greeson is stocked.
MontanaYear-roundYear-roundRare; tiger musky in select reservoirs.
IdahoYear-roundYear-roundTiger musky; 40-inch minimum in Little Payette Lake.
UtahYear-roundYear-roundTiger musky; 40-inch minimum in Newton Reservoir.
West VirginiaYear-roundYear-round40-inch minimum; New River is key.
IndianaYear-roundYear-round36-inch minimum; Webster Lake is popular.
KentuckyYear-roundYear-round40-inch minimum; Cave Run Lake is prime.
VirginiaYear-roundYear-round40-inch minimum; New River is a hotspot.
Ontario (General)June 21, 2025Dec 15, 2025Varies by zone; year-round catch-and-release in some areas.
ManitobaMay 24, 2025Apr 5, 202640-inch minimum; Lake Winnipeg is key.
QuebecJune 15, 2025Nov 30, 202544-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