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Fish profile · Percidae
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Walleye is a cool-water freshwater predator of North American lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Its eyesight helps it find prey in turbid water. It has been introduced beyond its native drainage basins to support sport fishing.
Last reviewed 26 October 2026 · 8 sources
- Max length
- 106.7 cm
- IUCN
- LC
- Least Concern
- Family
- Percidae
- order Perciformes
Category from the IUCN Red List, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0); it may lag the latest Red List assessment.
How big?
Linear scale · person 170 cm
Up to 106.7 cm.
How to identify
- Olive or gold body colour
- Large black mark at the rear of the spiny dorsal fin
- White tip on the lower tail lobe
Habitat
Uses both clear and turbid water, in shallow and deep habitats, but avoids warm water.
- Diet
- Young fish begin with small insects; larger walleye mainly eat fish, alongside crayfish, frogs and other animals.
- Native range
- The Great Lakes and Mississippi River drainage basins of North America.
Catching it
- Season
- In the US, best in spring and autumn, and at dawn, dusk or after dark.
- Methods
- JiggingTrolling
- Baits and lures
- JigsCrankbaits
Sources
Last reviewed 26 October 2026