Back in early 80's, I lived NWPa, released 47 muskies over the summer, my best year. Made my own jerk baits countered balanced to get that last little shake, really miss that here in Alaska, but we do have big northerns up to around 50 inches in some sloughs of the Yukon. I've even caught big northerns in my fish nets set for salmon run.
I grew up nx to a strip area that had even caught fire, burnt underground for 50 years I guess until it was reclaimed by state. Original strip mine owner walked away.