Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum)

Description: Non-native. Introduced in 1957. Back is yellow-olive with a brassy cast. Sides brassy-yellow with dark mottling. Belly is white. Dark spot at rear of spiny dorsal fin. Anal fin and lower lobe of tail fin are white. Eyes are opaque-silver in color. Moderate canine-like teeth. Length: 12 to 29 inches. Weight: 10 oz. to over 12 pounds. Location and Habitat: Found in Lake Powell, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, Lake Mary, Show Low Lake and Fool's Hollow Lake. Bottom oriented fish, due to their sensitivity to light, prefering to stay in deep water during the day, moving to shallow waters during the night. Spawn in spring, in relatively shallow water, over clean gravel or rocky bottoms. Food: Walleye prefer fish but will eat crayfish and worms. In Arizona, their main diet is threadfin shad. Angling: Because of light-sensitive eyes, walleyes feed more actively early in the morning, late in the evening, or at night. Effective lures and baits include, minnows, nightcrawlers, jigs, spinners and minnow imitating plugs. Fishing with minnows is unlawful in Lake Powell, Lake Mary, Showlow Lake and Fool's Hollow Lake. Table Quality: Considered one of the finest tasting fish available. The meat is white, flaky and has a very mild flavor.