Walleye Fish

The Walleye is a species of ray-finned fish native to freshwater bodies in many states throughout the midwestern United States and in many regions of Canada. It is a popular game fish for anglers who are seeking a fun fight along with a solid meal. Its popularity in recreational fishing has prompted its introduction into rivers and lakes across the United States, sometimes with negative ecological consequences. Appearance and behavior can vary slightly between local ecosystems as populations adapt to specific habitats.

3 Incredible Facts!

• State Fish: This species is the official state fish of Vermont, South Dakota, Minnesota, and multiple Canadian provinces.
• Night Vision: Walleye are nocturnal, and their unique eye structures give them strong sight even in dark waters.
• Menu Item: Long sought after by fishers, walleye are a growing commercial commodity and are becoming a feature on many restaurant menus.

Classification and Scientific Name

The walleye is also called yellow pike or yellow pickerel and is sometimes labeled yellow walleye to distinguish it from an extinct subspecies known as blue walleye. It’s also known simply as pickerel in Canada, although walleye are actually a type of perch and are not related to the various species officially classified as pickerel.

The scientific name for the species is Sander vitreus. The word vitreus is taken from the Latin word for glassy, which is a reference to the walleye’s distinct, large, reflective eyes. This species is part of the Actinopterygii taxonomic class, Order Perciformes, Family Percidae, and Subfamily Luciopercinae.

There is currently only one known species of walleye, although there can be noticeable genetic differences between fish populations in different habitats. The blue walleye, also historically known as the blue pike, was considered a closely related species but was then reclassified as a subspecies directly related to the (yellow) walleye. However, the blue walleye’s native populations dwindled during the 20th century, and it was declared extinct in 1983.

Appearance

As the largest member of the perch family, walleye reach an adult size of around 30 inches long and 20 pounds in weight. While there is some dispute about the record, the largest walleye on record was caught in 1959. The so-called Harper Walleye, named after the surname of the fisherman who caught it, was reportedly just over 40 inches long and weighed 25 pounds.

These relatively large freshwater fish have lean, flexible bodies that make them fun fighters for anglers. They have a dark green to gold coloration along most of their body, with at least five distinct black bands along the back. Their bellies are usually a white or lighter color. They have two fins along the top of their body, including one soft ray fin and another spiny one. Their mouth is also lined with sharp teeth that can make removing lures a hazardous prospect.

Both the common and scientific names for walleye come from their unique eyes, which have a shiny appearance and unusual outward-pointed positioning. These features give the fish exceptional vision compared to many other aquatic species, especially during the darker hours of the day. This adaptation gives them a significant edge as they hunt prey during the dusk, night, and early dawn hours.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

Walleye is a freshwater fish whose ideal habitats are large and shallow lakes and rivers with some water movement, or turbidity. Walleye can also inhabit smaller pools, backwaters, and estuaries, or even brackish waters that have some salinity.

Its native range includes the Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence River, and the Mississippi River Basin. The fish is currently found as far north as Arctic Canada and can be found in virtually every state across the continental United States. The expansion of their geographical distribution is largely due to intentional stocking as a game fish, although they have been accidentally introduced into some ecosystems as well.

Predators and Prey

Predators

Humans are a major predator of the species, with significant recreational and commercial fishing taking place throughout the year. Walleye have various potential natural predators depending on habitat, including largemouth bass, muskellunge, osprey, eagles, and otters.

Prey

Walleye are flexible and relatively indiscriminate predators that eat anything from bugs and fish to worms. They often target smaller fish, like minnows and yellow perch, including the babies of larger fish species. Leeches, mayflies, and crayfish are among the many possible prey targets for these fish.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Walleye move towards tributary streams, or shoals in larger water bodies, at the end of the winter season. They typically engage in group spawning by moving to shallow water following a period of energetic chasing and circular swimming. Females release their eggs, which can number in the thousands, and males immediately fertilize them. Adults become sexually mature at around 3 or 4 years old and have a potential lifespan of over 20 years.

The adhesive eggs fall to the bottom and incubate for 12 to 30 days before hatching. Parents don’t protect or look after their young in any way following fertilization. Walleye babies emerge from the eggs as free-swimming embryos. They absorb the remainder of their yolk for about a week before heading off to feed on larvae and plankton. The babies start preying on smaller fish by the time they are 1 to 2 months old.

Fishing and Cooking

Walleye are an extremely desirable fishing target for recreational anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada, which is why many states stock certain lakes and rivers periodically. Since they are nocturnal, fishing usually occurs between dusk and dawn. Popular lures include spoons, spinners, and plugs. Live bait, including minnows and leeches, can also be very effective for enticing these aggressive fish.

The species is considered good eating for a freshwater species, so they are targeted by commercial operations as well as recreational ones. Adult fish provide a reasonable amount of usable meat that is firm when cooked and has relatively few bones, which is a big plus for eaters. The meat’s flavor is considered subtle, so it doesn’t have a strong fishy taste and has a light sweetness.

As an increasingly popular menu item for North American restaurants, there are plenty of ways to prepare and cook walleye to create a satisfying meal. Spices like cumin, paprika, lemon pepper, and basil are all possible choices for bringing out the natural flavors of the fish. The meat should be separated from the body before cooking. The fillet can be breaded and pan-fried, baked, poached, or even smoked.

Population

The total walleye population is impossible to estimate due to its massive distribution and habitat flexibility. A recent evaluation done in Lake Erie, the single biggest reservoir for the species, estimates a local population of over 100 million. While they are currently classified as least concern in terms of conservation, experts believe that climate change and the introduction of competitor species could significantly diminish their population by the end of the century.