Muskellunge are more successful in river environments. Muskellunge may be mistakenly identified as northern pike. Northern pike have dark colored bodies with light markings. Culture of Muskellunge Muskellunge broodstock can be caught in spawning areas with trap nets, pound nets, or preferably by electrofishing. Egg damage can be reduced when broodstock are obtained by electrofishing.
Sex is determined by examining the vent region.
Spawning can be induced by hormone injection. Prior to egg removal, females are anesthetized and placed on an inclined fish holding rack. An inflatable blood pressure cuff is used to express the eggs into a pan. A catheter is used to check sperm motility in males before milting. The eggs are incubated in hatching jars.