The walleye is the king of Minnesota fish. Each year, more than one million anglers pursue the walleye in more than 1,700 lakes. In 1965, the Legislature named the walleye Minnesota's official state fish.

Identification

General description: A medium-sized fish that has big, marble-like eyes, and a white spot on the lower tip of its tail. Its color varies from olive to dark gray, with gold-flecked sides.

Length: Average length is about 15 inches.

Weight: Average about 1.2 pounds.

Reproduction

Walleye spawning usually occurs on lakes in April and May. The eggs hatch in 10 to 30 days. The newborns (fry) eat plankton and water fleas. By midsummer, the walleye young move near sandy beaches seeking small perch and minnows. Most males spawn at age four and females spawn at age five or six.

Food

Walleyes eat fish, especially perch. They also eat insects such as mayflies. Walleyes do most of their feeding in the morning and at sunset, which is usually the best time to catch them.

Predators

Larger predatory fish will eat walleyes.

Habitat and range

Lakes, slow-moving rivers, reservoirs, and some ponds. The walleye is found in these types of waters throughout Minnesota.

Population and management

Minnesota has many walleyes in its lakes and rivers. Minnesota's walleye stocking program is the largest in North America. Each year, the DNR stocks 250 million young walleye (fry and fingerlings) in roughly 600 lakes. Statewide, more than 4 million pounds of walleye are harvested by anglers each year.

Fun facts

The name walleye refers to the fish's large, glassy pupils. The inner part of the eye reflects light, allowing the fish to see in dark or murky water. Minnesota's state record walleye weighed 17 pounds, 8 ounces. It was taken from Saganaga Lake in Cook County. Studies have shown that walleyes live as long as 29 years in some waters.