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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

A black and white photo of a man holding up a large muskie fish.
Cal Johnson’s muskie might never be bested. The skin mount of the fish is still displayed Moccasin Bar in Hayward, Wisconsin. IGFA

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

A young man stands beside a hanging muskie fish.
Thirty-two years ago, Kenneth O’Brien came with two pounds of tying Johnson’s record. IGFA

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

Three men holding up a large muskie fish.
Joe Seeberger’s muskie is bound for the wall. IGFA

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

An older man holds up a large muskie while a lady looks on.
Gene Borucki proudly hoists his 56-pound monster. IGFA

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

A man holding up a large muskie fish.
The length of Gary Ishii’s muskie almost matched the angler’s height. IGFA

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

Read Next: How to Trick a Muskie with a Figure 8


6. George McQuillen – 52 Pounds 4 Ounces

A man in an orange vest holds up a large muskie.
George McQuillen caught this 52-pounder on 20-pound line. IGFA

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

A black and white photo of two men holding up a large muskie fish.
William Pivar’s muskie should’ve scored bonus pounds for the great vanity plate. IGFA

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

A black and white photo of a man holding up a large muskie fish.
Ken Hunt caught his record muskie on the 4th of July…with a nightcrawler. What could be more American? IGFA

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

A man and young child holding up a large muskie fish.
Lalie Tronel-Peyroz crushed the previous female-junior record of 28 pounds 8 ounces with her 41-pounder. IGFA

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

A man and a young boy holding up a large muskie.
Luke Meverden caught his record muskie when he was 12 years old. IGFA

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

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