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Fish Species - Details
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WALLEYE
(Stizostedion vitreum vitreum)
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Other Common Names
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Walleyed pike, yellow pike, yellow, pike perch
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Identifying Characteristics
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Largest member of the perch family.
Big, glassy eyes that reflect light at night.
Body is brassy to olive green on sides, and white on the belly.
Dark, narrow bands run vertically on back and sides.
Silver or white tip on lower fork of tail.
Sharp spines on first dorsal fin.
Sharp canine teeth on jaws and roof of mouth.
Considered by many people to be the best-tasting freshwater fish.
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Habits and Habitat
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Preferred temperature range is 55 to 70 degrees.
Can be either a pelagic fish, following schools of baitfish in the open lake, or a bottom dweller
that is frequently found near drop-offs and shoals.
Often found in large schools, which tend to be dominated by a single year-class.
Feed at night in the shallows, moving out to deeper water to feed during the day.
Spawn in early spring in or near the mouths of streams and in areas that have a rocky bottom.
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Tackle and Techniques
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Fishing is best at night, at least one hour after sunset, especially in the late spring and fall.
Use live baits, or deep-diving plugs that resemble live baitfish.
Weight-forward spinners dressed with a worm, brightly colored spoons, and worm harnesses
work well.
Troll slowly or drift with the wind in shallow areas in the spring, moving to deeper waters in
the summer and fall.
Walleye will often take just the tail end of the bait at first. Wait a few seconds before setting
the hook to give the fish time to take in the whole bait.
Bottom bouncing with jigs works well through the ice.
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Current State Record
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16 pounds, 7 ounces; caught by John D. Fluder on the Kinzua Reservoir on May 22, 1994.
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© Sander's Fishing Guides, Inc.
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