Walleye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walleye |
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Sander
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| Species: |
vitreus
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The Walleye (Sander vitreus) is a popular freshwater fish that lives in many parts of Canada and the northern United States. It belongs to a group of fish called Perciformes, which includes many common fish like perch and bass.
This fish is a close relative of the European pikeperch. People sometimes call the Walleye the yellow walleye to tell it apart from the blue walleye. The blue walleye was a type of walleye that used to live in the southern Great Lakes but is now extinct.
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What Does a Walleye Look Like?
Walleyes have long, thin bodies. They are usually olive green and gold, with darker spots or bars on their sides. Their bellies are often white or cream colored.
One of the most interesting things about Walleyes is their eyes. They have large, cloudy eyes that look like glass. This is why they are called "walleyes." Their eyes have a special layer that helps them see very well in dim light. This is useful when they hunt for food at dawn, dusk, or in cloudy water.
Walleyes have two dorsal fins (fins on their back). The first one is spiny, and the second one is soft. They also have sharp teeth, which they use to catch their prey.
Where Do Walleyes Live?
Walleyes prefer to live in large lakes and rivers. They like waters that are a bit cloudy or murky, which helps them hide and hunt. They are often found in deeper parts of lakes during the day.
These fish are native to a wide area across North America. You can find them from the Great Lakes region all the way up to Canada's northern territories. They are also found in parts of the Mississippi River basin.
What Do Walleyes Eat?
Walleyes are predators, which means they hunt and eat other animals. Young walleyes eat small insects and tiny crustaceans. As they grow bigger, their diet changes.
Adult walleyes mainly eat other fish. They especially like to eat minnows, yellow perch, and shiners. They also eat crayfish and other small creatures they find in the water. Because they can see well in low light, they are very good at hunting at night or in murky water.
How Big Do Walleyes Get?
Walleyes can grow to be quite large. Most adult walleyes are about 10 to 25 inches (25 to 64 cm) long. They usually weigh between 1 to 5 pounds (0.5 to 2.3 kg).
However, some walleyes can grow much bigger! The largest walleye ever caught weighed over 25 pounds (11 kg) and was more than 40 inches (100 cm) long. Walleyes can live for a long time, sometimes up to 15 to 20 years in the wild.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Walleyes usually spawn (lay their eggs) in the spring. They often move into shallower, rocky areas of lakes or rivers to lay their eggs. The female walleye lays thousands of tiny eggs, and the male walleye fertilizes them.
The eggs stick to rocks and plants at the bottom of the water. After about one to two weeks, the eggs hatch into tiny walleye larvae. These larvae are very small and float in the water. They feed on tiny organisms until they grow big enough to hunt small fish.
As they grow, young walleyes move to deeper waters. They mature and are ready to reproduce themselves in about three to five years.
Walleyes and People
Walleyes are very popular fish for sport fishing. Many people enjoy trying to catch them because they are a challenge to reel in. They are also highly valued as food fish. Their meat is white, flaky, and has a mild taste.
Because they are so popular, walleyes are often managed by wildlife agencies. These groups work to make sure there are enough walleyes in lakes and rivers for everyone to enjoy. This includes setting fishing limits and sometimes stocking lakes with young walleyes.
Gallery
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Walleye, Sander vitreus
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Graph showing the weight and length of walleyes
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A tiny walleye larva
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Fresh walleye being cooked over a fire
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A large walleye statue in Garrison, Minnesota
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See also
In Spanish: Sander vitreus para niños
