10 Walleye Facts | Superior Country (2024)

FAQs

10 Walleye Facts | Superior Country? ›

Their most notable characteristic is the main, large dorsal fin. It is spiny and accompanied by another positioned just behind it but is soft and more malleable. Walleye are known for their golden-yellow sides. They have dark green backs, white cream under bellies and dark green-black markings on their tail fin.

The walleye is named after its large opaque and almost blind-looking eye. The large reflective surface of its eyes give the walleye a sight advantage over other fish, allowing them to find prey during the night. The walleye has a dark green or olive-green back, light brownish yellow sides, and a white belly.

Walleye are native to Canada, the Great Lakes, the Missouri River basin and the upper Mississippi River basin, and have been introduced in the western and northeastern United States.

Walleye are fairly common throughout the continental United States. They are native to the Great Lakes and Mississippi River drainage basins, but have been introduced to many other parts of the United States for sport fishing. Construction of reservoirs has allowed walleye to survive in many new places.

Walleye fishing is embedded in the culture and lives of many anglers, especially in the Midwest. In fact, Walleye is the state fish of Minnesota, South Dakota, Vermont, and, unofficially, Ohio!

The rate depends partly on where in their range they occur, with southern populations often growing faster and larger. In general, females grow larger than males. Walleyes may live for decades; the maximum recorded age is 29 years.

Walleye are most commonly caught between 10-40 ft. To find where they're hiding, you must understand what kind of structure is under the water. Having a good understanding what kind of structure is out there is idea for increasing your chances of catching a Walleye.

Walleye teeth have no sharp edges. Pike and muskie teeth, as well as their gill covers and gill rakers, are razor sharp and slice while walleye teeth are simply pointy.

Present distribution of walleyes and their closest cousin, the sauger, were established during the glacial retreat less than a million years ago. Ichthyologists originally noted two subspecies of walleye, the usual form, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum, and the blue pike, Stizostedion vitreum glaucum.

Baudette, the town trying to federally trademark the phrase “Walleye Capital of the World,” is in the northwestern-most corner of Minnesota and has a population of 1,106.

How big are walleye by age? ›

The average weight of a 5 year old walleye is a pound and in terms of length they will reach about 36cm (14.2”). 10 – When they reach age 10, walleye will typically weigh about 2.6lbs. and will be about 49cm (19.1cm) long. 15 – In terms of length, a 15 year old walleye will be about 58cm (23”).

Overall, walleye are not threatened or endangered. Populations of walleye are managed by humans as a game fish. One subspecies, Sander vitreus (blue pike) is believed to have gone extinct recently.

Everyone knows (or assumes or has been taught) walleyes will only bite a “lazy” lure. How many times have you heard the importance of having a boat which will slow down to walleye speed—walleye speed normally being something under two miles per hour and often half that.

THE BIG THE BAD THE UGLY OF THE WORLD RECORD WALLEYE(S)

Harper's fish was said to weigh 25 pounds, 4 ounces with an astonishing length of 41 inches and 29-inch girth.

Yellow Walleye are recognized by their distinct yellowish-gold coloration and the characteristic white tips on their lower fins. These walleye are known for their elusive nature, often lurking in the shadows or near underwater structures, waiting for prey.

To date, the species has proven difficult to farm, with mortality rates and production costs prohibitively high, so farming serves only to stock lakes for anglers.

As for the walleye swimming speed can vary between 1 and 5 miles per hour, which is quite impressive considering their size. This allows it to ambush its prey relatively effectively, especially in its natural environment of lakes and rivers.

Minnows. Minnows are the most popular bait option for walleye anglers, I have found consistent success with shiner and flathead minnows. When targeting bigger fish, shiners in the 4-6″ range are the mainstay, these will weed through some of the smaller fish and get you on 25″+ Walleye.

Their main diet in Lake Erie is threadfin shad. They are even known to be piscivorous, meaning that they eat other fishes, including other walleye. Yellow perch is a common target, as are fingerlings of almost all other fish.

The walleye will have a large, terminal mouth where the upper jaw extends to the middle of the eye. Within the mouth are strong, well-developed canine-type teeth within the jaw. The number and size of teeth vary but average between 30 and 40 total with length up to 1/2 inch.