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) Other Names: marble-eyes, 'eye, walter, walleyed pike, jack, jackfish, pickerel Habitat: lakes and streams, abundant in very large lakes Range: originally the northern states and Canada, now widely stocked in the U.S.; common throughout Minnesota Food: mainly small fish, but also eats insects, crayfish, leeches and other small prey as opportunity permits Reproduction: spawning takes place in tributary streams or rocky lake shoals when spring water temperatures reach 45 to 50 degrees; no parental care Average Size: 14 to 17 inches, 1 to 3 pounds Fishing Tip: Casting crawfish imitation lures (the kind used for bass) into rocky shorelines at night can be very effective for large Walleye Notes: Revered by anglers, the Walleye is also the state fish. It is not a spectacular fighter, but nonetheless a dogged opponent. Ranks high in table quality; 1- to 3-pound fish are excellent eating. Breaking the 10-pound mark is a milestone in most fishing careers. A reflective layer of pigment in the eye, called tapetum lucidum , allows it to see well in low-light conditions, giving it an advantage over prey species such as Yellow Perch, which have poorer night vision or cannot quickly adapt to reduced light levels.

As a result, the Walleye is often most active at dusk, dawn, night and in light-reducing conditions such as waves or under cloudy skies.