| This pike-like freshwater perch is a 'perciform' fish | | | | lakes and moderate to low-gradient rivers. |
| native to the northern United States and southern | | | | Walleyes are "cool water" species that grow to about |
| Canada. Walleye (Sander vitreus vitreus, or | | | | 30 inches (75 cm) in length, weighing approximately 15 |
| Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) is considered the North | | | | lb (7 kg), although their growth rate depends |
| American relative of the European pikeperch, although | | | | sometimes on where in their range they occur. |
| they are not from the same family. | | | | Southern populations usually grow larger and faster |
| Walleye are usually larger than perch and can be | | | | than other fish of the same family, however females |
| distinguished from them by their scale color. Some | | | | of all walleye species grow larger than males. |
| walleyes are often referred to as yellow pike or | | | | It is not normal to find a walleye older that 5 or 6 |
| pickerel, although this name should be discouraged | | | | years, but it is known that they can live for several |
| because they are not pikeperch or pickerel fish, but | | | | decades. The oldest walleye recorded reached 29 |
| yellow walleye is the right name, also used to | | | | years of age. Walleyes are olive color in dorsal and |
| distinguish it from the extinct blue walleye. | | | | golden hue on the flanks, broken up by 5 dark saddles |
| Walleyes show some of variation across watersheds, | | | | extending to their upper sides, and distinguished from |
| and its peculiar name comes from the fact that their | | | | sauger by their white coloration on the lower lobe of |
| eyes, not unlike those of cats, reflect light. The light on | | | | the tail. |
| the eyes of the walleyes is the result of a | | | | Walleyes are best caught when the water |
| light-gathering layer called the tapetum lucidum. This | | | | temperatures get below 55º F, this is the reason |
| characteristic allows the fish to see well in low-light | | | | why this fish is the favorite catch during fall, when also |
| conditions. | | | | the turbidity of the rivers subsides the visual stimulating |
| Because Walleyes feed at night so anglers often look | | | | of walleyes, which can see their food floating, making it |
| for them in the knowledge of their luminescent eyes. | | | | easier for the angler to see their activity. |
| This fish can also see well in stained or rough turbid | | | | There is a website that has great information on most |
| waters, giving them an advantage over their prey. | | | | species of freshwater fish. It has details that pertain to |
| Walleye is often found at the breaking waters of | | | | each species of fish such as habitat, spawning, eating |
| Minnesota, in the Mille Lacs Lake, Brainerd Lakes Area, | | | | habits, the best lures and baits and more, the website |
| Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, Kabetogama Lake, | | | | is called: Fishing Stringer, and can be found at this url: |
| Leech Lake, Saint Croix River and the Mississippi River. | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| Other states with walleyes in their waters include | | | | Copyright © 2007 |
| Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or |
| Montana and Nebraska, besides of Canada, particularly | | | | on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety |
| in the Ontario and Toronto areas. Walleyes may be | | | | and without modification except for formatting needs |
| found lurking in turbid waters, but their natural habitat is | | | | or grammar corrections. |
| located in clean waters, particularly deep mesotrophic | | | | |