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