Walleye
(Sander vitreus)
Other names: Pike-perch, Walleye Pike, Walleyed Pickerel, Yellow Pickerel, Yellow Pike, Yellow Walleye
Walleye are the most sought after fish in Minnesota and much of the Upper Midwest. Often thought of as a "northern" fish, they are actually found from Canada all the way to Alabama in the Southeast over to Arizona in the Southwest. Their westernmost distribution in the U.S. occurs in the states of Washington and Oregon, where walleye were introduced by anglers.
As the largest member of the perch family, walleye are predators and rank high in the food chain when they reach maturity. For millions of anglers, they rank high on the list of delicious fishes that swim in the freshwater of this country. Their closest relatives are the Sauger and the Saugeye, which is a hybrid between sauger and walleye.
The pearlescent eye for which walleye were named is the result of a reflective layer of pigment, the tapetum lucidum, which helps the fish to see and feed in murky water and at night. Walleyes range in color from a golden yellow to dark olive drab and can be most easily distinguished from similar species by the lack of spots on the dorsal fin and the white tip on the lower part of the tail.
Walleye are classified as a "cool-water" fish. They flourish in warmer water than trout, but generally cooler than bluegill and bass. At home in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, walleye are rarely found in small ponds as they prefer deep, cool water. Rocks, logs, heavy weeds or anything else that provides shade in the daytime are likely hiding places for walleyes in shallow water. When these options are unavailable they tend to locate in deeper water. When spawning, walleyes can be found in 1- to 6-feet of water on rock, gravel, rubble or similar material in rivers, streams or windswept flats.
The most common tactic employed by walleye anglers is the use of a minnow, leech or night crawler on a Lindy Rig. The Lindy Rig consists of a walking slip sinker on the main line, then a swivel and a snelled hook on a leader. It allows anglers to present live-bait on the bottom of the water column to hungry walleye and the walking sinker allows line to slide freely when the fish strikes so it will take the bait completely before feeling any resistance. This is a very important aspect of live-bait fishing. Variations of the Original Lindy Rig, such as Little Joe Red Devil Spinners or Floating Lindy Rigs, add options for fine-tuning live-bait presentations.
Another common tactic for big 'eyes is using a round jighead with live bait or a soft plastic. An X-Change or Max-Gap Jig with a leech or half of a nightcrawler can be very effective around bridge pilings or other structure and is often used in the spring to cast in shallow water. The Fuzz-E Grub is a good choice in similar situations for the angler who does not want to use live-bait.
Other methods include trolling or casting crank baits, using a slip-bobber with live bait and slow-rolling a spinner bait in shallow water.
Average spawning temperature: 42-50 degrees F
World Record: 22 lbs. 11 oz. – Greer's Ferry, Arkansas – 1982