Walleye

Description
Introduced in 1974, the walleye is becoming popular with many anglers. It is greenish-yellow on the back, brassy-silver on the sides and whitish on the belly. The fairly large mouth has numerous teeth. It has a double dorsal fin, the first one being spiny, the second one having soft rays. The gill cover has a razor-sharp edge. Two other predominant characteristics are the white tip on the bottom lobe of the tail fin, and the unique glassy appearance of the large eyes. Generally, walleye average two pounds or less, but will grow up to 11+ pounds. The walleye is found in only a few reservoirs in southern Idaho.

Life History
Spawning takes place in the spring, and during the night. Most spawning occurs in lakes over boulder or gravel shoals. The males arrive first on the breeding ground, with the females arriving shortly after. The males show some pre-spawning display, primarily pursuing and circling. The female is attended by one or two smaller males. No nest is prepared: the eggs fall directly on the bottom, lodging in crevices or cracks. The eggs hatch approximately two weeks after being deposited. After hatching, growth is fairly rapid.

Feeding Habits
Walleye feed primarily at night in shallow water. During the day they move into deeper water where the light is dim. The diet of the adult walleye consists mainly of small fish and a few insects.

Angling Techniques
Jigs, spinners, spoons or natural bait all work well to catch walleye in certain situations. Remembering these basic facts will help you find success: Walleye tend to congregate in schools; when you catch one it is likely there are others in the same spot or vicinity. Except on rare occasions, walleye are found on the bottom of the lake, so the odds are with you if you keep your bait on or near the bottom. They are usually found near or on a sandbar or physical feature which provides a good feeding area in proximity to deeper waters. The primary food of walleye is fish. Your bait should resemble a bait fish in some manner and be slow moving. Walleye feed primarily in late evening, at night or in the very early morning.