Walleye Fishing Home Page

Walleye Quick Facts

The next time you catch a walleye take a moment to carefully examine its eyes. Not only are these features the origin of its common name and a prominent part of their appearance, but their unique physiology permits this fish to adapt into an ecological niche that is occupied by few other species. Walleye are perfectly adapted for capturing prey in very low light, or even in total darkness. At the same time in most clear waters that they occupy, they forage most effectively at dawn and dusk when the prey fishes have limited vision but remain active. For this reason, walleye are termed low light condition feeders, and fishing success is traditionally best during these periods. Some of the most avid walleye fishermen never fish during daytime, finding catch success best in semi- or total darkness.

Walleye Features

The walleye has teeth on its jaws and the roof of its mouth. The first dorsal fin has dark blotches and the lower lobe of the tail fin is white. The back and sides are yellow or green-brown with dark blotches. The average length of a walleye is 12 to 28 inches. The name walleye comes from the opaque appearance of the eye, which is due to a light-gathering structure.

Spawning Information

Walleyes spawn during the night when the water temperature reaches 45-50 degrees. Walleye can spawn in flooded marshes, gravel, or on rip-rap and can also move move out of reservoirs and lakes into the rivers feeding them. There is no nest preparation or parental care. Eggs are scattered on the bottom and hatch in about seven days. Walleyes live about ten years.

Walleye Habitats

The walleye lives in the open water of lakes and reservoirs and in stream pools. It lives in small groups that swim over a wide area and are active at night, moving to shallow water to feed and returning to deep water in the day. It eats insects and smaller fish such as minnows and shad. Stocking of walleye fingerlings from fish hatcheries enhances many walleye fisheries.

Walleye Length To Weight Conversion