| The Walleye sporting fish is a freshwater | | | | larger than perch fish and can be distinguished |
| "Perciform" fish native to Southern and middle | | | | from the perch fish by the Walleye's more |
| Northern regions of Canada as well as to the | | | | distinctive scale colors. The more specific fish |
| contiguous northern regions of the United States | | | | descriptive term can be said to be a more |
| Walleye or sometimes known as "Walley fish" is a | | | | specific description of a type of Walleye which is |
| North American relative of the European | | | | also referred to as "Yellow Pike" or "Pickerel" fish. |
| pikeperch. In addition to make it somewhat | | | | The fish name of "Pickerel" is well established as a |
| confusing the common North American walleye is | | | | description in Canadian areas such as the "lake |
| sometimes referred to as the yellow walleye to | | | | Winnipeg "or "Red River" Pickerel. In actuality it |
| distinguish it from the extinct blue walleye. The | | | | actually is not a proper term as true Walleye fish |
| "Blue Walleye" was a prolific fish of the Great | | | | are not pike fish or pickerel fish. Yet the name |
| Lakes- predominantly Lakes Erie and Ontario. This | | | | has stuck. If nothing else the term "Yellow |
| different species of fish "The Blue Walleye" was a | | | | Walleye" is the correct term which also |
| prolific fish to the extent that it was heavily | | | | distinguishes the Walleye fish from the extinct |
| commercially fished in the Great Lakes fishing | | | | blue walleye varieties. Walleye fish show some |
| regions. Unfortunately the popularity and delicacy | | | | variations across different watersheds. What |
| of this fish lead to its demise and extinction. Up to | | | | gives the Walleye fish its distinctiveness and the |
| 50 % of the commercial fish catch of the area | | | | word "Eye" in its name is the trait of the Walleye |
| was of the Blue Walleye variety fish. Over fishing | | | | fish is the luminescence of their eyes. Like feline |
| in the 1950's led to a population crash of the Blue | | | | cats the eyes of Walleye fish reflect light. This is |
| Walleye fishery. In the 1960's the introduction of | | | | most noticeable at night. Walleye fish can see well |
| the Zebra Mussel into the Great Lakes Catchment | | | | for hunting their prey in low light conditions.. |
| area was the final straw. By 1965 the Blue | | | | Walleye fish actually have a specific light gathering |
| Walleye of the Great Lakes Fisheries was | | | | layer in the anatomy of their eyes. As a result |
| pronounced extinct for all practical purposes - | | | | Walleye fish feed at night. Knowledgeable anglers |
| although an occasional fish is caught by anglers | | | | and fisherman know that often the best time to |
| from time to time. In some parts of its range, | | | | fish for them is at night. Even better the fish can |
| the walleye is also known as the walleyed pike, | | | | also see well in stained or rough turbid waters, |
| yellow pike or pickerel (esp. in English-speaking | | | | giving them a real advantage over other |
| Canada), although the fish is related neither to the | | | | competitive fish species and the prey of the |
| pikes nor to the pickerels, both of which are | | | | Walleye fish as well. Where to best catch your |
| members of the family Esocidae. Genetically, | | | | "King Walleye"? Walleye fish can be found lurking |
| walleyes show a fair amount of variation across | | | | in turbid waters However where the natural |
| watersheds. In general, fish within a watershed | | | | habitat of Walleyes is, particularly deep commonly |
| are quite similar and are genetically distinct from | | | | clear water lakes and ponds with beds of |
| those of nearby watersheds. The species has | | | | submerged aquatic plants and medium levels of |
| been artificially propagated for over a century and | | | | nutrients. Lastly Walleyes are best caught when |
| has been planted on top of existing populations or | | | | the water temperature is cool - below 55 degrees |
| introduced into waters naturally devoid of the | | | | Fahrenheit (12.78 degrees Celsius) All in all the fall |
| species, sometimes reducing the overall genetic | | | | season is when Walleye fishing can be the most |
| distinctiveness of populations. Walleyes are usually | | | | fun. |