The back, head, and upper sides of muskies range from iridescent green-gold to light brown. Dark markings may not be visible on larger fish. The size of these fish also varies greatly by lake. In lakes with cold waters and small numbers of prey fish, muskies may live as long as 17 years without reaching 30 inches in length. In the ideal habitat, a musky can reach 30 inches in as little as four years.
Females tend to be longer and heavier than males of the same age.
Muskies can live to be as old as 30, as measured by the cleithrum . Habitat Muskies are solitary and stay close to their home range unless food is in short supply. They usually lurk near drop-offs from rock or sand bars in the middle of lakes, along weed beds or other vegetation, and in shady waters close to shores that are fringed with overhanging trees. They prefer larger lakes with deep and shallow basins and large beds of aquatic plants. The stealthy musky hunts by waiting motionless.