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Perch Family (Percidae)
WALLEYE
Sander vitreus
Description: long, round body; dark silver or golden to dark olive brown in color; spines in both first dorsal and anal fin; sharp canine teeth; dark spot at base of the three last spines in the dorsal fin; white spot on bottom lobe of tail
Similar Species: Sauger (pg. 84), Saugeye
Other Names: marble-eyes, ’eye, walter, walleyed pike, jack, jackfish, pickerel
Habitat: lakes, rivers, and streams; abundant in some very large lakes
Range: northern states and Canada, now widely stocked in the U.S.; Michigan—statewide
Food: mainly small fish, but also eats insects, crayfish, leeches, and frogs
Reproduction: spawning takes place in tributary streams or rocky lake shoals when spring water temperatures reach 45 to 50 degrees; no parental care
Record and Average Size: Michigan state record—17 lb., 8 oz., 36.8 in.; Average Size—1 to 3 lb. and 10 to 18 in.
Fishing Tip: Casting imitation crawfish lures (the kind used for bass) into rocky shorelines at night can be very effective for large Walleyes.
Notes: Michigan’s state fish, the Walleye is revered by Michigan anglers. A dogged opponent, but not a spectacular fighter or jumper, the Walleye is at the top of the list of North American fish when it reaches the table. A reflective layer of pigment in the eye, the tapetum lucidum, allows Walleyes, and their cousin, Saugers, to see well in low-light conditions. As a result, Walleyes are most active at dusk, dawn, night, and under low-light conditions, such as choppy waves and cloudy skies.
