muskellunge

[Algonk.: Ojibwa ; cf. maskinonge]

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

a large species of pike, Esox masquinongy, weighing up to 80 pounds, found principally in the Great Lakes system. Many spellings.

Spellings vary greatly in early writings. See 1963 quote at maskinonge.

Quotations

1794

. . . I reached the spot where they were catching maskalonge, a superior kind of pike, and pickerall.

1896

He gives us himself amongst the various forms--muscalonge, muskellunge and muskallonge. . . .

1966

[Caption] Muskellunge are the meanest, roughest fresh-water fighters in Canada. . . .