10 of the Biggest World-Record Muskies Ever Caught
These monsters are so rare, they're more like the fish of 10 million casts

Few gamefish inspire quite as much awe as the muskellunge—the toothy, elusive trophy hailed as the fish of 10,000 casts. Several muskies have made a run at the world record, but none have yet managed to topple the nearly 70-year-old reign of Cal Johnson’s 67-pound 8-ounce freak. That said, each of these muskies is truly gargantuan and has secured a place in the International Game Fish Association’s record book.
1. Cal Johnson – 67 Pounds 8 Ounces

Angler: Cal Johnson
Monster-Muskie Specs: 67 pounds 8 ounces
World-Record Line Class: All Tackle
Catch Date: July 24, 1949
Location: Lake Court Oreilles, Wisconsin
Fishing Method: Unknown
Lure or Bait Used: Pike Oreno
2. Kenneth O’Brien – 65 Pounds

Angler: Kenneth O’Brien
Monster-Muskie Specs: 65 pounds
World-Record Line Class: 12-lb.
Catch Date: October 16, 1988
Location: Blackstone Harbour, Ontario
Fishing Method: Trolling
Lure or Bait Used: 4-inch Rapala
3. Joe Seeberger – 58 Pounds

Angler: Joe Seeberger
Monster-Muskie Specs: 58 pounds
World-Record Line Class: 8-lb.
Catch Date: October 13, 2012
Location: Lake Bellaire, Michigan
Fishing Method: Trolling
Lure or Bait Used: Sucker minnow
4. Gene Borucki – 56 Pounds 7 Ounces

Angler: Gene Borucki
Monster-Muskie Specs: 56 pounds 7 ounces
World-Record Line Class: 30-lb.
Catch Date: August 30, 1984
Location: Manitou Lake, Ontario
Fishing Method: Trolling
Lure or Bait Used: Rapala
5. Gary Ishii – 55 Pounds

Angler: Gary Ishii
Monster-Muskie Specs: 55 pounds
World-Record Line Class: 50-lb.
Catch Date: October 11, 1981
Location: Moon River, Ontario
Fishing Method: Trolling
Lure or Bait Used: Jointed Swim Whizz
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6. George McQuillen – 52 Pounds 4 Ounces

Angler: George McQuillen
Monster-Muskie Specs: 52 pounds 4 ounces
World-Record Line Class: 20-lb.
Catch Date: November 12, 1994
Location: St. Lawrence River
Fishing Method: Trolling
Lure or Bait Used: Kwik Fish
7. William Pivar – 45 Pounds

Angler: William Pivar
Monster-Muskie Specs: 45 pounds
World-Record Line Class: 16-lb.
Catch Date: July 26, 1980
Location: 1000 Island Lake, California
Fishing Method: Trolling
Lure or Bait Used: Believer
8. Ken Hunt – 44 Pounds 11 Ounces

Angler: Ken Hunt
Monster-Muskie Specs: 44 pounds 11 ounces
World-Record Line Class: 6-lb.
Catch Date: July 4, 2002
Location: Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota
Fishing Method: Trolling
Lure or Bait Used: Nightcrawler
9. Lalie Tronel-Peyroz – 41 Pounds 1 Ounce

Angler: Lalie Tronel-Peyroz
Monster-Muskie Specs: 41 pounds 1 ounce
World-Record Line Class: Junior (Female)
Catch Date: November 21, 2011
Location: St. Lawrence River
Fishing Method: Trolling
Lure or Bait Used: Depth Raider
10. Luke Meverden – 40 Pounds

Angler: Luke Meverden
Monster-Muskie Specs: 40 pounds
World-Record Line Class: Junior (Male)
Catch Date: August 9, 1999
Location: Leech Lake, Minnesota
Fishing Method: Casting
Lure or Bait Used: Northland Jig