Muskellunge Esox masquinongy are large, predatory game fish whose association with shallow, complex habitats is well documented, particularly during early life stages. Despite this association, relatively little guidance exists regarding effective sampling of Muskellunge larvae and previous efforts to sample larval Muskellunge have been met with limited success. Therefore, our objective was to determine the relative effectiveness of three sampling gears for capturing naturally produced Muskellunge larvae. Larvae were sampled during 2019 and 2020 at known Muskellunge spawning locations in Snipe Lake, Wisconsin, with D-frame dip nets (1,000-µm mesh), quatrefoil light traps, and towed ichthyoplankton nets (1,000-µm mesh). Sixty larval Muskellunge were captured across all gears, and catches in D-frame dip nets comprised nearly 87% (52 of 60) of the total catch. Furthermore, D-frame dip nets captured the broadest size range of larval Muskellunge (TL range = 14–33 mm). Greater effectiveness of D-frame dip nets in comparison with other gears is likely related to their ability to be used in and around structurally complex habitats without fouling or clogging. Our results suggest that D-frame dip nets should be considered as a cost- and time-effective tool for targeting larval Muskellunge in complex habitats.
