Walleye

Click here if you would like to purchase a print of this fish.

Fish image provided under agreement from Windsor Nature Discovery, LLC. Fish image created by Ron Pittard.

Common Name: Walleye

Scientific Name: Stizostedion Vitreum

Fish Family: Percidae

Other Names: pickerel, yellow pickerel, walleyed pike, yellow walleye, jack salmon, jack, pike-perch, walleyed pike-perch, pike, gray pike, green pike, 'eye, marbleye, glass-eye; French: doreé

Walleye Photos:

For more Walleye photos visit Lake-Link's Photo Gallery.

State Fish For: Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota

Identification:

Dorsal region of head and back brown, olive, to brassy yellow; sides paler; ventral head and belly yel- low to white. Sides and back variously speckled with dusky spots; in younger fish, vague dusky bands (about 9) across back and down sides. Eyes silvery in life; a reflecting layer (tapetum lucidum) causes glow- ing in dark. Membranes on the spiny dorsal fin diffusely pigmented, no definite horizontal rows of spots; last few membranes black. Second dorsal and caudal fins with dark spots in regular rows; ventral lobe of caudal fin often white-tipped. Pectoral fins pigmented with dark blotch at base; pelvics and anal largely clear.

Distribution:

The yellow perch occurs in all three drainage basins in Wisconsin (Lake Michigan, Mississippi River, and Lake Superior), in all of the state's boundary waters, and in Lakes Michigan and Superior. Because the yellow perch is a glacial lakes species, it is widely distributed except in the unglaciated region of southwestern Wisconsin.

Spawning:

The spawning migration of walleye begins soon after the ice goes out, at water temperatures of 38-44ºF. Spawning in Wisconsin generally occurs between mid- April and early May, although it may extend from the beginning of April to the middle of May. Walleye spawning ordinarily reaches a peak when water temperatures are 42-50ºF. The walleye is not a territorial fish at spawning time; they usually broadcast their eggs and exercise no parental care.

Angling Methods:

The walleye is one of the most highly prized game fishes in Wisconsin. Thousands are caught each year during their spring spawning runs. Walleyes are primarily minnow feeders, but leeches, small bullheads, nightcrawlers, and various small plugs are favorite baits. In clear waters, walleyes usually stay in deeper areas during the day, moving into the shallows at night. In more turbid waters, they can be caught throughout the day. The large, unusual eyes of the walleye are designed to help them easily find their prey.

State Walleye Records:

Illinois State Record:
14 lbs 0 ozs caught by Fred Goselin caught on Kankakee River on May 14, 2005.
Indiana State Record:
14 lbs 4 ozs caught by Leon Richart caught on Kankakee River on January 1, 1974.
Indiana State Record:
14 lbs 4 ozs caught by Donald Tedford caught on Tippecanoe River on January 1, 1977.
Iowa State Record:
14 lbs 8 ozs caught by Gloria Eoriatti caught on Des Moines River on September 1, 1986.
Michigan State Record:
17 lbs 3 ozs caught by Ray Fadely caught on Pine River on January 1, 1951.
Minnesota State Record:
17 lbs 8 ozs caught on Seagull River on May 13, 1979.
Wisconsin State Record:
18 lbs 0 ozs caught on High Lake, Vilas County on September 16, 1933.

« back