A big muskie is an old muskie. Females require 14 to 17 years to reach 30 pounds.
Northern pike grow even more slowly.
Once taken out of the water and hung on a wall or carved into fillets, a trophy is not soon replaced by another fish of its size. Unfortunately, some fish are mortally injured by improper handling and cannot be successfully released. All northern pike and muskie are difficult to handle because of their slippery hides, lack of good handles and sharp teeth. Big fish are particularly troublesome because of their great size and power. The first step to successfully releasing fish is to use artificials rather than live bait.