Norfolk Fishing Network 2004 - 2024 - British Coarse Fish Species R - Z

Distribution:is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch. The walleye is sometimes also called the yellow walleye to distinguish it from the blue walleye, which is an extinct subspecies formerly found in the southern Great Lakes.

Features:Walleye have a long cylindrical body and a long conical head that makes up about 1/4 of the total length. The large mouth has teeth in bands, with long sharp canines on the jaws and roof of the mouth. The cornea of the eye is slightly milky looking, giving thewalleye its name. There are two fins on its back (dorsal fins). The base of the second dorsal fin is longer than the base of the first. The first dorsal fin is heavily spined and it has a large black spot at the base of the last dorsal spine. The anal fin (the single fin on its lower surface nearest the tail) has 2 spines. The gill cover also has one or more spines. Walleye are a dark olive-colour, mottled with brassy specks. The belly is white. The white patch on the lower tip of the tail fin is more visible on males.Females are, on average, larger than males. Young walleye have dark blotches on their sides.

Diet:Walleye are predators, eating mostly small fish and other organisms such as amphipods, mayfly nymphs, and other aquatic insects. They utilize any species of fish available to them, and can be cannibalistic if other forage fish are not readily available.

Spawning:Walleye spawn over shallow gravelly areas in tributary streams or on the shoals of lakes soon after the ice goes out. Males migrate first to the spawning grounds. One or more smaller males often accompany each female during spawning. Vigorous milling about and splashing sometimes occurs. A female deposits from 35,000 to 600,000 small eggs (about 2 mm diameter) in one night of spawning, then leaves the area. Eggs are laid mostly in late evening. Hatching usually occurs from 12 to 18 days after spawning, but may take longer depending on water temperatures. Ten to 15 days after hatching, the young disperse into the upper levels of open water.

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