When Muskies Mistake Toes for Tasty Treats: Two Wild Encounters

The muskellunge, or "musky," is the stuff of fishing legends—a elusive giant lurking in North American lakes, prized for its size and fight. But every now and then, this toothy predator reminds us it’s not just anglers who get a surprise. In two rare and fascinating incidents, muskies turned casual lake moments into unforgettable stories—not with fear, but with a quirky twist of nature. Let’s dive into these curious encounters from Minnesota and Manitoba, where toes and legs became unexpected bait.

A Dockside Nibble in Minnesota

Picture this: it’s a warm August day in 2017 on Island Lake near Duluth, Minnesota. Kim Driver is kicking back on her dock, feet dangling in the cool water, when—chomp!—a muskellunge decides her foot looks like lunch. The bite was quick and surprising, severing a tendon and sending Kim to the hospital for surgery. Amazingly, this wasn’t the first musky mix-up on the lake that summer. Just two months earlier, in June, another swimmer had a musky nip at his leg.

Experts say these incidents are as rare as a blue moon—muskies don’t hunt humans, and these fish likely mistook Kim’s splashing toes for a minnow or perch. After some stitches and a good story to tell, Kim recovered, leaving locals buzzing about the lake’s feisty residents. It’s a reminder that even apex predators can have an off day when it comes to identifying their next meal.

A Swim Turned Tug-of-War in Manitoba

Fast forward to July 20, 2020, near Minaki, Ontario, just north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Rachelle Nicholls is enjoying a swim by the dock when a muskellunge latches onto her leg and gives a mighty tug, pulling her underwater for a brief, wild ride. “I came back up screaming,” she later told CTV News, laughing at the absurdity of it all. The musky left her with cuts needing staples, but Rachelle took it in stride, guessing the fish mistook her kicking leg for something tastier in the murky water.

This underwater tug-of-war wasn’t a horror movie moment—it was a split-second blunder by a musky doing what muskies do: chasing movement. Rachelle’s story quickly became a local talking point, blending awe at the fish’s power with a chuckle at its poor judgment.

What’s Behind These Musky Mishaps?

Muskellunge are built to hunt—long, sleek bodies, sharp teeth, and a knack for ambushing fish up to half their size. But humans? Not on the menu. Fisheries biologists suggest these attacks stem from simple confusion. Splashing feet or legs in murky water can mimic the darting prey muskies love, like walleye or suckers. Add in peak summer activity—when muskies are active and people are splashing—and you’ve got a recipe for a rare, accidental encounter.

Interestingly, both incidents happened near docks, where muskies sometimes lurk, hunting in the shadows. They’re not stalking swimmers; they’re just opportunists who occasionally get it wrong. And with only a handful of recorded musky bites on humans ever, these stories stand out more for their oddity than any real danger.

Why These Stories Hook Us

Kim and Rachelle’s run-ins with muskies aren’t about fear—they’re about the wild unpredictability of nature. For anglers, muskies are the “fish of 10,000 casts,” a challenge worth chasing. For the rest of us, these tales add a dash of wonder to a day by the lake. They’re conversation starters: Could a musky really mistake my foot for a snack? What’s it like to feel that tug from below?

If you’re researching musky behavior or planning a fishing trip, these incidents are gold. Check out KARE 11’s coverage of Kim’s Minnesota moment or CTV News Winnipeg’s chat with Rachelle for the full scoop. Better yet, ask around at Island Lake or Minaki—locals love retelling these fishy tales.

A Fin-tastic Footnote

Next time you dip your toes in musky territory, don’t worry—just wiggle them a little less like a lure. Kim and Rachelle walked (or swam) away with stories that blend nature’s quirks with a touch of humor. Muskies may rule the water, but these two proved humans can handle a surprise nibble and still come out smiling.