About Walleye
The walleye is Minnesota's state fish and the most sought-after game fish in the state. Named for their large, opaque eyes that reflect light (an adaptation for low-light feeding), walleye are prized for their excellent table quality and challenging pursuit. They're found in nearly every Minnesota lake and river system, from small lakes to massive bodies like Mille Lacs and Lake of the Woods.
🏞️Habitat
Walleye prefer cool, deep lakes with moderate clarity. They're often found near drop-offs, underwater points, rock reefs, and weed edges. During summer, they move to deeper, cooler water (20-40 feet) during the day and come shallow to feed at dawn and dusk. In spring, they spawn over gravel shoals and rocky areas when water temps reach 42-50°F.
🔍Identification
- •Olive-gold coloring with darker saddle markings
- •Large, glassy eyes that glow in light
- •White tip on lower tail fin
- •Sharp canine teeth
- •Two dorsal fins (first with spines)
- •Typically 14-22 inches, can exceed 30 inches
🎣How to Catch Walleye
Best Techniques
- ✓Jigging with minnows or plastics
- ✓Live bait rigging with leeches or crawlers
- ✓Trolling crankbaits along structure
- ✓Slip bobber fishing over reefs
- ✓Casting jerkbaits in fall
Best Baits
- ✓Fathead minnows (spring/fall)
- ✓Leeches (summer)
- ✓Nightcrawlers (all season)
- ✓Soft plastic swimbaits
- ✓Crankbaits (shad patterns)
📅Seasonal Patterns
Opener (May)
Post-spawn fish are hungry and shallow. Target 8-15 feet near spawning areas.
Summer
Fish deeper structure during day, shallow reefs at dawn/dusk. Best bite often after dark.
Fall
Trophy time. Big females feed heavily before winter. Fish follow baitfish movements.
Ice Fishing
First and last ice are best. Target 20-30 feet over mud flats and basin edges.
💡Pro Tips
- 1Walleye feed most actively in low-light conditions - fish dawn, dusk, and overcast days
- 2Match your jig color to water clarity: bright colors in stained water, natural in clear
- 3Slow down your presentation in cold water, speed up in warm
- 4Wind-blown points and shorelines concentrate baitfish and walleye
- 5Electronics are key - look for fish suspended over structure
🏆Minnesota Record
- Weight
- 17 lbs 8 oz
- Length
- 35.75"
- Lake
- Seagull River
- Year
- 1979
📋Regulations
- Daily Limit
- 6
- Size Limit
- No minimum (varies by lake)
- Season
- May 10 - Feb 23
Statewide regulations. Many lakes have special rules.
Check DNR Regulations →🧠Did You Know?
- •Walleye can see in near-darkness thanks to a reflective layer (tapetum lucidum) in their eyes
- •Minnesota stocks over 200 million walleye fry annually
- •The average walleye lives 10-12 years, but some reach 20+
- •Walleye are actually a member of the perch family