- muskellunge
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a large game fish, Esox masquinongy, of the pike family, found in the lakes and rivers of eastern and middle western North America.[1780-90, Amer.; earlier muskinunge, masquenongez (F sp.), etc., < CanF maskinongé < Ojibwa ma·skino·se·, ma·skino·se· (equiv. to Proto-Algonquian *mya·si similar to, kind of + *kenwesye·wa northern pike)]
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Species (Esox masquinongy) of somewhat uncommon pike valued as a fighting game fish and, to a lesser extent, as a food fish.It inhabits weedy rivers and lakes of the North American Great Lakes region. It averages about 20 lbs (9 kg), but may grow to 6 ft (1.8 m) long and weigh 80 lbs (36 kg) or more, making it the largest fish in the pike family. The lower part of the cheeks and the gill covers are scaleless.* * *
▪ fish(species Esox masquinongy), solitary and somewhat uncommon pike valued as a fighting game fish and, to a lesser extent, as a food fish. It inhabits weedy rivers and lakes of the North American Great Lakes region. Largest of the pike family (Esocidae) the muskellunge averages about 9 kg (20 pounds) in weight but may be 1.8 m (6 feet) long and weigh 36 kg (80 pounds) or more. It is recognized by the elongate body and by the absence of scales on the lower part of the cheeks and gill covers. See also pike.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
