If you’re a fisherman in North America, you’ve heard of walleye. Walleye are one of the most sought after fish on the continent. Not only do they present a fun challenge for anglers, they’re also delicious, and their filets are some of the best freshwater fish you can eat.
If you plan on going out and fishing for walleye, you’ll need a plan. Not only will you need some good fishing spots, as well as good timing, you’ll also need a plan of attack concerning their diet. Walleye are wary fish with keen eyes, so knowing more about their natural diet can help you make the best decision on what to pack your tackle box with. Learn more here!
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What is the Walleye?
Walleye are an elusive predatory fish found in a wide variety of bodies of water in North America. They can be found as far south as Alabama and Georgia in the United States, and as far north as the Northwest Territories in Canada. They can be found in many bodies of water from coast to coast, either natively or due to introduction as a gamefish.
Related to the perch, walleye are olive or gold in color with a white belly. Across the back of the fish are 5 or more black bands. Walleye have two dorsal fins, one that is spiny and one that is soft-rayed. They have a large mouth filled with sharp teeth, indicating its status as a predator in its ecosystem.
Walleye are named for their cloudy eyes. These eyes have a reflective tint on the back of them that help them gather light in low-light areas, making them an effective nocturnal hunter, as well as an effective hunter in turbid water. Their eyes also affect their behavior, and these fish will do whatever they can to stay away from bright light, sticking to deep or shaded water during the day.
On average, walleye reach just over 22 inches in length, and weigh about 5 pounds. They can reach sizes much larger than this, however, with the record being a 42-inch fish weighing about 25 pounds. The typical lifespan of the walleye is about 10 years, with fish that live in colder climates living longer, but growing slower as a result of the environment.
During the spring, walleye will spawn in shallower waters, with females laying up to 100,000 eggs each season. The process of spawning takes weeks, as walleye will travel back to the same beds to spawn their entire lives. The actual laying of eggs and milt, however, takes place in just a few hours on a single night.
What Bodies of Water Do Walleye Inhabit?
Walleye can be found in ponds, lakes, rivers, and creeks all over North America. Walleye will move to different areas in the body of water that they live in, or other bodies of water entirely, as the seasons change.
Ponds and Lakes
Fish living in ponds and lakes will seek refuge during the day in deeper waters or in shaded areas. These areas can be shaded by overhead growth, or can be structures in the water itself, like downed trees or large boulders. Walleye are predatory in nature, but are wary, and only feed when the opportunity is in their favor. At night, when they feed, they come to the shallows, searching for prey in the weeds and other vegetation.
Rivers and Creeks
Walleye prefer fast flowing water when living in rivers and creeks. Fast flowing water allows the walleye to sit in slower moving pools. There they’ll wait for prey to flow downstream to them, and grab them at opportune times. When given the opportunity, they’ll spend much of their time at the mouth of the creek or river in the shallows, hunting. Walleye prefer gravel or rock-bottomed creeks and rivers over other sediments.
A Walleye’s Typical Diet
In the wild a walleye’s diet consists of invertebrates and fish, and depending on the size of the fish the diet will vary.
Juvenile Walleye
Juvenile fish will have a diet that consists mainly of invertebrates and very small fish. They’ll eat crickets, earthworms, and minnows. These are staples, and young walleye will consistently hunt for them throughout the night, or in shadow.
Adult Walleye
Adult walleye mainly feed on any fish smaller than them. Yellow perch are a favorite, and when in the shallows they’ll hunt fathead minnows. These are not the only fish that walleye will eat, however. Large walleye have been caught with many different species in their stomachs, and at least a dozen different fish have been known to be hunted and eaten by walleye.
An Active Predator
Walleye are very active predators, and while invertebrates and fish are high on their list of prey, they’ll eat anything if they’re hungry enough. This includes snails, frogs, small mammals, and crayfish. Walleye are not opportunistic predators, however. They’ll eat fish and invertebrates if available, and will eat other prey when those options aren’t available.
The Best Bait For Walleye
Fishing for walleye can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to choosing the right bait or lure. Carrying a plethora of options is the key to a bountiful fishing trip when on the hunt for walleye. Having a tackle box with several different choices is key.
Live Bait
Live bait should always be one of the highest choices on the list when fishing for walleye. Typically, this is what will get them to strike consistently. It’s best to use live bait on fireball jigs, which are specifically designed for walleye. These jig heads have no lead barb on the jig head itself, and the hook shank is short with a wide gap. This condensed the jig considerably, making the bait more appealing to the walleye. When using live bait, the best two options are:
- Minnows – These are the bait of choice for walleye, and appropriately sized minnows can be used to catch walleye of all sizes. When looking to catch large walleye, use shiner minnows that are 4 to 6 inches in length. If you’re finding that larger fish aren’t biting, use fathead minnows from 2 to 3 inches in length.
- Leeches and Worms – Leeches and full-sized nightcrawlers are also great options for smaller walleye, and will get the fish to bite. Leeches are preferable, but both work well.
Crankbaits
Typically used while trolling for walleye, crankbaits are an excellent choice for fishing in deeper water for walleye. They’re primarily best used in water from 10 to 15 feet deep, and in many cases are irresistible to walleye. In addition to being used for trolling applications, they can be used from shore as well. They do a good job of helping to target where the walleye are by rousing them, then a more specific approach can be used.
Swimbaits
When fishing for walleye in colder months, swimbaits can be highly useful. Walleye are cautious predators, and are slow to strike. This is only exacerbated in colder waters. Swimbaits are entirely functional when being cranked slowly, whereas crankbaits and jigs may not be. Using a swimbait can be your saving grace when fishing for walleye in cold water.
The Takeaway
When fishing for walleye, it’s important to remember that in the wild they prefer to eat small fish and invertebrates. Knowing this can help you pick your baits and lures accordingly, leading to far more successful fishing trips overall.