freshwater
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Elongated, torpedo-shaped body with a dark green to brown back, brassy or golden sides, and a white belly. It features two distinct dorsal fins, large opaque-looking reflective eyes, and sharp teeth on the jaws.
- Habitat
- Large, clear to turbid lakes, deep rivers, and reservoir…
- Size & weight
- Typically 15 to 20 inches in length and 1 to 3 pounds, w…
- Diet
- Piscivorous, feeding mainly on smaller fish such as yell…
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Physical characteristics
Elongated, torpedo-shaped body with a dark green to brown back, brassy or golden sides, and a white belly. It features two distinct dorsal fins, large opaque-looking reflective eyes, and sharp teeth on the jaws.
Habitat & distribution
Large, clear to turbid lakes, deep rivers, and reservoirs, primarily found throughout Canada and the northern United States in cool waters.
Behavior
Solitary or loose-schooling benthic fish that prefers deep water during bright daylight and moves to shallower shoals or weed beds to feed during low-light conditions.
Diet
Piscivorous, feeding mainly on smaller fish such as yellow perch, minnows, and shiners, as well as insects and crayfish, primarily hunting at dawn and dusk.
Reproduction
Spawns in early spring over gravel or rocky shoals in tributary streams or shallow lake waters, scattering adhesive eggs without parental care.
Ecological role
Apex predator in many freshwater ecosystems, regulating populations of smaller forage fish and maintaining aquatic balance.
Similar species
Sauger (Sander canadensis), which can be distinguished by the distinct spots on its dorsal fin and lack of a white tip on the lower tail lobe.
Identification tips
Look for the prominent white tip on the lower lobe of the caudal (tail) fin, the dark blotch at the base of the first dorsal fin, and large, milky-reflecting eyes.
Interesting facts
The eyes of a walleye contain a specialized reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, which helps them see exceptionally well in low-light and murky waters, making them particularly active at night.