Walleye

The Walleye, stizosfedion vitreum, is a member of the perch family. It is also called Pickerel, Yellow-Pike, Walleyed-Pike. It has a long slender body with yellow-olive and bluish-brassy overcast on its sides. The belly is milky white.

It has a large clouded eye and a dark blotch on the webbing between the last three spines of the first dorsal fin, and a white tip on the lower lobe of the tail. Walleyes have numerous sharp teeth, the better to eat the forage fish, such as the Spottail Shiner, that make up the bulk of its dinner.

Its eyes are extremely light sensitive so it usually is hiding in deeper water or under protective structures during the day. It will then come out at dusk and feed during the night, or on overcast days. It will feed on the shallow weed beds or rocky shoals.

It prefers clear to slightly turbid water with reefs, gravel shoals, bedrock, and other firm bottoms. Water cooler than 85 degrees is desired.

Walleye usually run 14 to 22 inches in length and range 2 to 4 pounds. They can reach 20 lbs. and regularly attain weights of 10 lbs. The Idaho record Walleye was reeled in by Bill Sorensen of Kuna in 1996, in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir. It weighed 17 lbs. 20 oz.

In Idaho, Walleye can be found at Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, Oneida Reservoir near Preston, and Goose Creek Reservoir near Oakley.

Fishing for Walleye

Walleye are predators, eating mostly small fish, so live bait works real well. Shiner imitations or lures with a perch or shad color are good. Jigs tipped with a minnow are worth trying. Fish in shallow rocky areas or weed beds or edges of shelves or cliffs. Fish deep on sunny days. Dusk and dawn should be good times and even night time, as they are night feeders. Walleyes are soft hitters, and some fishermen may not even notice the bite. Try tying on a second trailer hook for better hook-ups.

Trolling

If you are trolling over shallow holding areas try wobbling lures like Rapalas or Old Storm Thundersticks. If trolling over deeper areas try diving crankbaits like the Rapala Shad Rap or Rattlin' Rap.

Jigging

Jigs and bait are best fished at the bottom. Use 1/8 to 1/2 oz. size in blue, green, black colors tipped with meal worm or worm. Fish slowly.

Ice Fishing

Use sonar to locate fish and use live bait, like minnows. It the fish are spread out use a jigging lure to attract swimming fish, like the Swedish Pimple, Mr. Champ, or Rapala Pilkie Spoon.