- See also Maskinongé
The
muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), also known as
muskelunge,
muscallonge,
milliganong, or
maskinonge (and often abbreviated "
muskie" or "
musky"), is a
species of large, relatively uncommon
freshwater fish native to
North America. The muskellunge is the largest member of the pike
family,
Esocidae. The common name comes from the
Ojibwa word
maashkinoozhe, meaning "ugly pike", by way of
French masque allongé (modified from the Ojibwa word by
folk etymology), "elongated face." The French common name is
masquinongé or
maskinongé.