A Beginner Angler's Guide to the Walleye

If you've never fished before, many of your more experienced fishing buddies will probably recommend you go after the walleye.  This popular fish, which is also Minnesota's state fish, is a challenge to catch but when you do reel one in, you'll find that it's all worth the effort.  Here are some fascinating things you might want to know about the walleye:

Getting to know the walleye

The walleye, or Sander vitreus, is also known as the yellow walleye, yellow pike, pickerel or walleyed pike, never mind that it isn't a relative of pikes or pickerels.  This fish with many names is native to Canada, although it also makes many northern parts of the United States its home.  It is the North American cousin of Europe's pike perch. 

How walleye look like

Walleye are sleek, beautiful fish that can grow to about 30 to 36 inches (75 to 90 cms.) in length.  They look like the perch in general appearance.  Walleye can reach about 10 to 15 lbs. (5 to 7 kgs.) in weight, although some might even exceed that.  A walleye caught in the state of Montana, for example, weighed in at more than 16 lbs. and was measured at over 36 inches long.  Walleye have a large mouth filled with sharp teeth.

Walleye are a mixture of gold and olive and the dorsal side tends to be olive, with the color gradually turning golden at the flanks.  The belly of the fish is white, with dark saddles at its upper sides.

Female walleye tend to be larger compared to males.  How fast they grow will depend on their location.  Walleye found in southern regions, for example, tend to grow larger and much faster than other walleye.

Walleye tend to be old geezers, capable of living for a decade or more.  In fact, the longest living walleye on record reached a ripe old age of 29.  This often happens in fishing areas where populations largely remain untouched.  However, in places where populations are heavily fished, walleye reach only about 4 or 5 years of age.

Why walleye?

The reason why it's called the walleye is because its eyes reflect light.  Beneath its eye surface lies a layer that gathers light.  This makes the fish capable of seeing even in areas with little light, which explains why walleye also stay in deeper waters.  This type of behavior is noted by many anglers, who usually fish for the walleye at dusk or at night, when the feeding happens. 

Walleye can also see well in rough or breaking water, where it will catch prey.  This is why many anglers will look for areas with rough waters.  These waters are also referred to as 'walleye chop' because walleye tend to congregate there.

Fishing for walleye

The walleye became a favorite catch among anglers because of their beautiful appearance and impressive size.  Many anglers have mounted walleye proudly and many of these catches are testament to the fish's striking beauty.

Another reason that makes the walleye a well sought-after fish is that it isn't that easy to catch.  This isn't the type of fish that you just get up one morning, head off for the lake and hope to catch.  In fact, anglers have to watch for certain locations, conditions, weather and even seasons to catch walleye. 

Its popularity is also the reason why walleye fishing is regulated to avoid depleting the current population.  Agencies in charge of natural resources will often check anglers' catches to determine if they meet length limitations and quotas.  If you fish for walleye, for example, you can't fillet the fish in such a way that it is unrecognizable.  It should be easily identifiable and its actual length measurable.  Otherwise, you will be violating regulations.

In Minnesota where the walleye is king, a giant statue of the fish stands.  It is so popular with the locals that residents of Minnesota are the largest consumers of the walleye in the U.S.  However, the walleye's fame extends far north, where it remains as one of the fish that Canadians seek on regular fishing trips.  Since fishing is well regulated in both the U.S. and Canada, there is good reason that the walleye will remain as popular today as it will be years from now.