| The walleye or Sander vitreous is one of the | | | | eggs in one spawning season. Incubation can last |
| most popular game fish in North America. It is a | | | | from two weeks to one month, depending on the |
| relative of the perch and is a sought-after fish for | | | | water temperature. |
| its size, looks and its great taste. This particular | | | | Walleye diet |
| species is found in great numbers in Canada and | | | | As fry, walleye feed on planktons and larvae. |
| the U.S., specifically the northern areas. | | | | They also eat other fish, such as ciscoes and |
| The specie | | | | yellow perch. Generally though, they prefer |
| The walleye is just one of the 140 or so fish | | | | leeches, worms, crayfish and minnows. |
| species that belong to the perch family. The | | | | As a sport fish |
| generally appear with characteristic colorings that | | | | The walleye is the species of fish that is highly |
| include a white to off-white belly, golden sides and | | | | valued as a sport fish in many parts of North |
| dark olive back. | | | | America. It is also considered as one of those |
| Young walleye have dark spots on their backs | | | | that are economically valuable. As a commercial |
| and on the sides. When they grow older, they | | | | fish, it is also a major objective among fishermen. |
| lose these colorings. The colorings depend greatly | | | | Walleye reach lengths of about 30 inches or |
| on their location and the physical characteristics | | | | more, depending on the availability of food in their |
| tend to vary slightly according to their | | | | habitat. They also reach weights of about 15 to |
| environment. | | | | 25 lbs. On average, most caught are about 5 |
| The fish is so named because of its eyes. Its | | | | years old, although some walleye that live in under |
| retina is designed to gather and reflect light very | | | | fished areas can reach over 25 years of age. |
| efficiently, which allows it to live even in low light | | | | The average size caught by most anglers is about |
| conditions. | | | | 2 lbs. Other than humans, walleye also have a |
| Males reach adulthood at about 3 or 4 years of | | | | natural enemy in the muskellunge and the |
| age, while females become mature at about 5 | | | | northern pike. |
| years. In winter or spring, adults migrate to | | | | Other names |
| spawn, choosing areas in the streams or rivers | | | | The walleye is called by several other names, |
| that have rock and gravel. In other areas, they | | | | including yellow walleye, pickerel, yellow pike and |
| choose locations that contain vegetation or sand. | | | | walleyed pike. |
| A mature female can lay as many as half a million | | | | |