With the exception of a few one-year-old fish, no muskellunge were found in tributaries of the upper Niagara River during 1975-1977. In contrast, nearly all (97%) northern pike were collected in tributaries despite extensive river sampling. The species are spatially segregated throughout much of their life cycles. Differential adaptation tot river current may be the most important factor permitting coexistence of the two species. The geologic history of the Niagara River suggests that the muskellunge population may have been established rather recently (since 5,500 years before present). However the present distribution of northern pike indicates that this population was probably established much earlier (12,300-10,400 BP).
Catch and Release Muskie Fishing – Let Them Go – Let Them Grow