Muskie Fishing in Ontario

Ontario offers the best muskie fishing in the world! The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources reports, "Less than one per cent of the world's fresh water holds the mighty muskellunge and much of that water is in Ontario. The Canadian record is a 65 pounder, caught by Mr. Kenneth O'Brian right here in Ontario in 1988."

Wilderness Air gives you the ultimate in muskie fishing! For those looking specifically for the thrill of the muskie catch, we suggest you stay at our deluxe outpost cabin on Confusion Lake.

About the Muskie

Muskies go by many names: muskie, musky, maskinonge, muskallonge, mascalonge, 'lunge, silver muskellunge, Great Lakes muskellunge and sometimes even just “jack”. Derived from the Algonquin word maskinonge, the name can mean deformed pike (mashk kinonge), ugly fish (mas kinonge), and large pike (mas Kenosha).

One of the cold-water species, the muskellunge can be found lurking in aquatic plants at the sides of channels, or by drop-offs from rock or sand bars and along weed beds. Spawning occurs in the spring after ice break-up, along marshy shorelines.

Although it is similar in appearance to the northern pike, the muskie’s tail fin tips are more pointed. The muskie has non-branching, dark bars on an olive to tan background with no pattern across the back. Its body is long and slender with eyes placed high on its head.

The muskie is an ambush predator and feeds primarily on other fish, gobbling up everything from perch and suckers to shiners. It also feeds extensively upon frogs and crayfish. This is one hungry fish! Generally speaking, they go after bait that has a lot of "action", so keep your bait moving!

The muskellunge is legendary for its fighting spirit and is a worthy opponent for the most experienced angler! Because they are good fighters and larger fish, tackle for muskie needs to be stouter than tackle used for walleye and bass. Your gear should include heavy bait casting rod, substantial level-wind reel and a variety of large artificial lures such as plugs, bucktail spinners, and spoons.

Wilderness Air's Top 3 Tips for Catching Muskie

• Troll a little faster than you would normally
• Try using a jointed Rapalas
• Muskie are sensitive to human smell and gasoline, be sure to keep your hands clean of gas when handling any lures. Try washing your hands with sugar, or add fish scent to the bait.

Visit our 10 fly-in fishing outpost cabins and read more about the amazing walleye, northern pike, muskie, bass and trout fishing.

Enjoy our other fish reference guides!