WRITTEN BY DYLAN SAVAGEAU
A foot-long lure is a curious thing to throw at a fish, particularly when you might spend an entire day doing it without getting so much as a follow. But that’s muskie fishing on the St. John River, where anglers in Aroostook County pursue one of Maine’s most unusual game fish. Muskellunge, better known as muskie, have earned the nickname the “fish of 10,000 casts” for good reason. They can follow a lure right to the boat and disappear without striking, leaving an angler to wonder how close he came to hooking the fish of a lifetime.
Some of the lures used to catch them are roughly the length of an average brook trout. The tackle is heavy, the casts are relentless, and there are no guarantees. That’s part of the appeal. A muskie might be watching your lure without you ever knowing it, and the next cast could be the one that finally draws a strike.
Muskies are powerful predators, built for ambush and armed with rows of sharp teeth. Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reports that muskies commonly measure 30 to 36 inches and weigh between five and 10 pounds, although larger fish are possible. The state’s largest recorded specimen weighed 22 pounds, 12 ounces.
Muskies are not native to Maine. Their presence in the St. John River system traces back to introductions in Quebec during the 1970s. From there, the fish spread downstream and established populations in suitable waters throughout the drainage.
The St. John drainage was once known more for its native brook trout and salmon fisheries, and the introduction of muskellunge has raised concerns about the effects of an introduced predator on those populations. Maine fisheries researchers have documented concerns about the effects of introduced predatory fish on native species. Muskie fishing offers a distinctive opportunity for anglers, but its history also serves as a reminder that introducing a fish can have lasting consequences for the waters it inhabits.
The St. John Valley offers several places to pursue muskies. The river runs past Fort Kent, Frenchville, Madawaska, and Van Buren, with connected waters offering additional opportunities to pursue these fish.
Anyone planning to fish for muskies should leave the ultralight rod at home. Muskie tackle needs enough backbone to cast heavy lures throughout the day and handle a large fish at close quarters. A stout rod, a dependable reel, braided line, and a bite-resistant leader are standard equipment. Bucktail spinners, oversized crankbaits, and swimbaits are common choices, to work around weed edges, submerged timber, and breaks in the current. The idea is to put a substantial meal in front of a fish holding near cover or waiting for prey to pass within striking distance. Trolling swimbaits and diving plugs are another option, particularly when exploring unfamiliar water.
Fort Kent has helped put this unusual fishery on the map. Each summer, the town hosts the International Muskie Derby, bringing anglers to the St. John River and its tributaries in pursuit of a qualifying fish. Established in 2003, the event has become part of the region’s fishing culture, drawing visitors who are willing to spend long hours casting for a fish that may never show itself. For those who do connect, the catch is often the beginning of a story that gets told long after the tackle has been put away.
Before heading out, anglers should check current Maine fishing regulations and access conditions, particularly near the international boundary with New Brunswick. There are no length or bag limit restrictions to conserve existing muskie fisheries, however only Beau and Glacier lakes are open to muskie fishing during the ice fishing seasons, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Muskie fishing doesn’t promise steady action. Most casts won’t produce a fish, and plenty won’t even produce a follow. But somewhere in the St. John, a 40-inch muskie could be holding in a weed bed, waiting for an easy meal. Somebody’s going to put a lure in front of it. Might as well be you.