Esox masquinongy

History of Spread

Esox masquinongy's (Muskellunge) native range was 'originally St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River) and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to southeast Manitoba, south in the Appalachians to GA, and in the west to IA' (Page and Burr 1991). It is probably introduced in VA's Ohio drainages and elsewhere in VA (Jenkins and Burkhead 1993). Esox masquinongy are frequently introduced in Atlantic drainages, and south and west of their native range, but seldom successfully. Altogether, they have been introduced to 28 states (Fuller et al. 1999; Page and Burr 1991; Scott and Crossman 1973).

Widespread stocking in the Chesapeake Basin apparently began in 1960's in PA (Fowler 1948) and later in MD and VA. Most stocked fish came from the OH drainage (Jenkins and Burkhead 1993). In VA and most of MD this species appears to be largely or wholly confined to reservoirs (Lee et al. 1981; Jenkins and Burkhead 1993). Esox masquinongy in our area appear to be largely dependent on stocking, but small juveniles have been seen in the upper James VA (Jenkins and Burkhead 1993) and Susquehanna Rivers PA (Mangan 1986). Riverine populations occur in the Susquehanna (Bielo 1963; Denoncourt and Cooper 1975; Mangan 1986; McKeown 1984) and in the Delaware Estuary (Horowitz 1986; Raasch and Altemus 1991).

James River- Esox masquinongy have been caught in Richmond, at the head of tidal waters (Jenkins and Burkhead 1993).

Potomac River - Esox masquinongy are stocked in Piedmont streams and impoundments; some still survive in Burke Lake, Fairfax County VA (Ernst et al. 1995). Muskellunge have been caught just above the tidal region as recently as 2009 (Starnes et al. 2011).

Susquehanna River - Attempts by the PA Fish Commission at extending the range of Esox masquinongy in PA began in 1953, and introductions to the Susquehanna started in the 1960's (Mangan 1986). Bielo's (1963) survey found E. masquinongy's only in the Northern PA sections of the river, but it was recorded in Susquehanna and Conowingo Reservoir (1973-75) (Denoncourt and Cooper 1975), and found below Conowingo Dam in 1972-84 (McKeown 1984). A few juveniles have been found in the Susquehanna (Mangan 1986). PA has stopped stocking of esocids in the Susquehanna (McLean 1999, personal communication).

Delaware River- Esox masquinongy were introduced in Wayne County PA by 1919 (Fowler 1919; 1948). They were stocked in Brandywine Creek PA in 1964-65 and caught in DE by 1967-68. Muskellunge are dependent on stocking in Delaware Estuary. The 'Tiger Musky' Esox lucius X Esox masquinongy was stocked in larger numbers (Horwitz 1986; Raasch and Altemus 1991). Stocking of Esox masquinongy has been stopped in the Delaware River (Raasch 1997).

History References - Bielo 1963; Denoncourt and Cooper 1975; Denoncourt et al. 1975b; Ernst et al. 1995; Fowler 1919; Fowler 1948; Fuller et al. 1999; Horwitz 1986; Jenkins and Burkhead 1993; Lee et al. 1981; Mangan 1986; McLean 1999 personal communication; ; McKeown 1984; Raasch 1996; Raasch and Altemus 1991; Scott and Crossman 1973

Invasion Comments