Muskies are some of the largest fish in Indiana. This photo, found on the Department of Natural Resources website, shows just how large muskies can get.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS – Muskies are some of the largest fish in Indiana, and anglers usually release the muskies they catch, valuing them more for their trophy size and the challenge they present rather than their edibility.

Although growth of older male muskies is slow and few ever reach 44 inches, females typically reach 36 inches at age 7 and 44 inches at age 12. Under the right conditions, female muskies can grow longer than 50 inches, weigh more than 40 pounds and live more than 20 years.

The Indiana state record, caught in 2002 at James Lake, weighed 42 pounds, 8 ounces.

Late fall is a great time to fish for muskie because the fish feed aggressively as they prepare for the cold months ahead. Weed beds that provide cover during the summer have also thinned, leaving muskies roaming open water.

Tracking studies by Indiana Department of Natural Resources biologists show muskies expand their range more in fall than in any other season, meaning more fishing spots may hold the species.

Indiana’s stocking program continues to support healthy muskie populations statewide, stocking 22,960 muskies across 10 bodies of water last month. Stocked fish ranged from 9.42 to 11.77 inches long.

The Barbee Lake chain received 3,400 fish. The Tippecanoe chain received 2,266 muskies, and Webster Lake received 3,096 fish. Webster Lake is the lake from which the muskie stocking program collects its eggs.

Anglers hoping to take advantage of this late-season opportunity should target remaining weed beds, which still attract prey fish and provide cover, using large lures or live suckers to entice bigger strikes. Persistence is key, as muskies are on the move and may be as likely to find you as you are to find them.

“Fall muskie fishing is one of Indiana’s best-kept secrets, and anglers can land some trophy-size fish,” said Tyler Delauder, Indiana DNR fisheries biologist.

For all stocking numbers, go to on.IN.gov/fish-stocking and click on the Fish Stocking Dashboard.
Learn more about Indiana DNR’s muskie program at wildlife.IN.gov/fishing/muskie-fishing.