09/06/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FTQvQbfUq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Many research studies have revealed that muskies eat relatively few walleyes.
In Gull Lake, Minnesota, muskies were stocked for the first time in 2016—2,000 fingerlings were stocked in the fall. During the same time frame, the lake received over 8.4 million walleye fry—or 4,200 walleyes for every one muskie. Even if muskies ate nothing except walleyes, the impact would scarcely be observable. But they don’t.
“Muskies, like other esocids, prefer soft-rayed fish, such as suckers and ciscoes,” says Dr. John Cassleman, Adjunct Professor at Queen’s University, Ontario, and one of the world’s foremost experts on muskellunge.
“Years ago, I vividly remember looking into the muskie-walleye prey issue with a large sample of confiscated muskies from Eagle and Wabigoon lakes. There were of course a few large walleyes in their stomachs, but by and large, we saw many more of other species.”
Cory Schmidt, In-Fisherman
