The Walleye 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 extinct blue walleye.
In some parts of its range, the Walleye is also
known as the walleyed pike, yellow pike or
pickerel (especially in English-speaking
Canada), although the fish is related neither to
pikes nor to the pickerels, both of which are
members of the family Esocidae.
Walleyes show a fair amount of variation across
watersheds. In general, fish within a watershed
are quite similar and are genetically distinct
form those of nearby watersheds. The species has
been artificially propagated for over a century
and has been planted on top of existing
populations or introduced into waters naturally
devoid of the species, sometimes reducing the
overall genetic distinctiveness or populations.
The common name "walleye" comes from the fact
that their eyes, like those of cats, reflect
light. This is the result of a light-gathering
layer in the eyes called the tapetum lucidum,
which allows the fish to see well in the
low-light conditions. Their eyes also allow them
to see well in turbid waters (stained or rough,
breaking waters), which gives them an advantage
over their prey. Walleye anglers will commonly
look for days and locations where there is a
good "walleye chop". This excellent vision
allows the fish to populate the deeper regions
in a lake and can often be found in deeper
water.
Walleyes grow to about 75 cm in length and
weight up to about 15 lb. The maximum-recorded
size for the fish is 107 cm. in length and 25
lb. in weight. The growth rate depends partly on
where in their range they occur, with southern
populations often growing faster and larger. In
general, females grow larger than males.
Walleyes may live for decades; the
maximum-recorded age is 29 years. In heavily
fished populations, few walleye are older than
five or six years old.
Walleyes are largely olive and gold in colour.
The dorsal side of a Walleye is olive, grading
into a golden hue on the flanks. The olive/gold
pattern is broken up by five darker saddles that
extend to the upper sides. The colour shades to
white on the belly. The mouth of a Walleye is
large and is armed with many sharp teeth.
The Walleye is a relatively re-selected species.
They require fairly clean waters and are found
most often in deep mesotrophic lakes and
moderate to low-gradient rivers. The Walleye is
considered a cool water species.
The Walleye is often considered to have the best
tasting flesh of any freshwater fish, and
consequently is fished recreationally and
commercially. Because of its nocturnal feeding
habits, it is most easily caught at night using
live minnows or lures that mimic small fish.
|
|
|
