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More about
Walleye:
Overview -
Walleye are also called walleyed pike, pickerel, jackfish, dore, and ol'
marble eyes. The sides of the walleye are olive-green with gold flecks.
The spiny dorsal fin lacks spots, but has a black rear base. The lower
lobe of the tail has a white tip.
Strong fighters, walleyes stay deep and wage a determined battle.
Walleyes are light sensitive. They have a layer of pigment in the
retina of the eye called the "Tapetum lucidum". Because of their
light-sensitive eyes, they bite best around dusk and dawn, at night, or in
cloudy weather. Popular baits and lures include minnows,
nightcrawlers, leeches, jigs, spinners, and plugs, especially minnow
plugs.
Most numerous in large, windswept natural lakes of moderate to low
clarity. They can also be found in smaller lakes, reservoirs, and rivers
and streams with moderate current. Walleyes prefer clean, hard bottoms and
water temperature from 65 to 75 degrees F.
Description:
Walleye have a brassy color and the back is yellow-olive. Sides
brassy-yellow with dark mottling. Belly is white. Dark spot at rear of
spiny dorsal fin. Anal fin and lower lobe of tail fin are white. Eyes are
opaque-silver in color. Moderate canine-like teeth. Length: 12 to 29
inches. Weight: 10 oz. to over 12 pounds.
Eating Habits
Primarily fish eaters, walleyes also feed on immature and adult aquatic
insects, leeches, crayfish, snails, and larval salamanders. Except in
waters of low clarity, they feed most heavily in dim-light periods,
especially when light levels are fading rapidly. Walleye prefer fish
but will eat crayfish and worms. Their main diet in most lakes is
threadfin shad.
Location and Habitat:
Walleye are a bottom oriented fish, due to their sensitivity to light,
preferring to stay in deep water during the day, moving to shallow waters
during the night. They spawn in spring, in relatively shallow water, over
clean gravel or rocky bottoms.
Age & Growth
Walleyes have been known to live as long as 26 years. Females typically
grow much larger than males.
World Record
1940 - 46 pounds, 2 ounces, caught in Sacandaga Reservoir, New 1960 - 25
pounds, caught in Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee.
Angling:
Because of light-sensitive eyes, walleyes feed more actively early in the
morning, late in the evening, or at night. Effective lures and baits
include, minnows, nightcrawlers, jigs, spinners and minnow imitating
plugs. Fishing with minnows is unlawful in some lakes so check your state
regulations.
Table Quality:
Considered one of the finest tasting fish available. The meat is white,
flaky and has a very mild flavor.
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