Muskellunge
Invasive SpeciesFound in 10 lakes
Muskellunge is documented in 10 lakes across our dataset — 10 in Missouri. Each state's natural-resources agency maintains an official "infested waters" roster that triggers boat-launch decontamination protocols. 10 lakes — narrow enough that aggressive containment is still on the table. Most upper-Midwest invasives that established here did so quietly over a decade before anyone noticed, so a low number today is not a guarantee for tomorrow.
The presence of Muskellunge does not directly change a lake's LakeGrade rubric score — the grade measures the water itself, not the species inhabiting it. But invasive presence is a meaningful adjacent signal worth reading alongside the grade.
Lakes with Muskellunge
| Lake | County | State | Grade | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loto Lake | Camden | MO | B | - |
| Loto Lake | Camden | MO | B | - |
| Loto Lake | Camden | MO | B | - |
| Pomme de Terre L. Lake | Hickory | MO | C | - |
| Loto Lake | Miller | MO | C | - |
| Loto Lake | Morgan | MO | C | - |
| Loto Lake | Camden | MO | C | - |
| Pomme de Terre L. Lake | Hickory | MO | D | - |
| Pony Express Lake | DeKalb | MO | D | - |
| Buffalo Bill Lake Nr. Access | DeKalb | MO | D | - |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes have muskellunge?
Muskellunge has been documented in 10 graded lakes: 10 in Missouri.
Does muskellunge affect water quality?
Invasive species can significantly affect lake ecosystems. They may alter nutrient cycling, displace native species, and change water clarity. Lakes with muskellunge should be monitored for changes in water quality over time.
Invasives Found With Muskellunge
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.