|
 Flatfishes, sunfishes, and perchlike
fishes
Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum
DescriptionTo 3'5" (1 m); 25 lbs (11.3 kg).
Elongate, slightly compressed; olive-brown to brassy greenish-yellow
above with dusky to black mottlings, belly whitish with yellow-green
tinge. Mouth extends to eye, has canine teeth; preopercle serrate.
Dorsal fins separate; first dorsal fin dusky with black edge, black
blotch on membranes of last 2-3 spines; caudal fin forked, tip of
lower lobe white. Lateral line complete, 82-92
scales.
HabitatDeep waters of large streams, lakes, and
reservoirs over firm sand, gravel, or rocks.
RangeFrom s. Hudson Bay drainage west to
MacKenzie River; south through Great Lakes and Mississippi River
system to Arkansas. E. Gulf drainage, Alabama and Mississippi.
Widely introduced. Walleye are plentiful in Lake Erie as shown in the
photo on the right with the great fisherman, Bryant Walker.
Discussion The Walleye is the largest North
American species in the perch family and one of the most sought
sport and food fishes. The largest catch was taken in Old Hickory
Lake, Tennessee, in 1960. The Walleye feeds on aquatic insects,
crustaceans, amphibians, and almost any available species of
fish.
|
