Frequently, only one third of the fertilized eggs are viable after spawning. Hatching occurs in 8 to 14 days at water temperatures which range between 53 and 63 degrees F. Fry feed heavily on large zooplankton, while fingerlings 1.5 inches long feed almost exclusively on fish. Growth rates of muskellunge vary throughout their range. Fish growth depends on the availability of forage fish of adequate size and quantity. Muskellunge may grow 10 to 12 inches long during their first growing season.
Female fish grow larger and faster, and live longer than males.
Females may weigh up to 70 lbs and live for approximately 20 years. Muskellunge are ambush predators which dart out of cover to capture their prey. Northern pike, perch, black bass, rock bass and sunfish will prey upon young muskellunge. Northern pike spawn earlier than muskellunge and in similar locations. Pike may compete directly with muskellunge for food, space and spawning habitat.