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Walleye

Walleye

Walleye in Mississippi are not native to the state but have been established through stocking efforts since 1936, primarily in the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and its tributaries.

Also known as Southern Walleye, Gulf Coast Walleye

Physical Characteristics:
  • Golden yellow or greenish brown with dark blotches and a distinctive white belly, typically ranging from 14-28 inches with potential to exceed 30 inches.
  • These predatory fish have slender bodies, large glossy eyes that give them their name, and mouths full of sharp teeth.
  • Females grow larger than males, with fish capable of reaching 10+ pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Inhabit deeper areas during hot summer months, moving to shallower rocky areas during cooler periods.

Key Locations

  • Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and its tributaries.
  • Mobile River Basin.
  • State record caught from Tennessee River at Iuka.

Specific Spots

  • Target rocky areas, current breaks, submerged structures, and areas around dams.
  • Spawning occurs in shallow water with rocky substrate.

Walleye FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Walleye in Mississippi?

Nightcrawlers, minnows, plugs, spinner combos, and jigs. Chartreuse colors work well in daylight hours, while glow lures can be effective for night fishing.

What flies work for Walleye in Mississippi?

Streamers tied on size 4 hooks with sparse bucktail in purple, red, black, and green combinations, incorporating flash materials like gold tinsel. Effective fly patterns include Woolly Buggers, Clouser Minnows, balanced leeches, sculpin patterns, and crawfish imitations in tan, brown, olive, or orange.

When is the best time to fish for Walleye in Mississippi?

Best fishing occurs during winter and early spring. Avoid March when fish are spawning. Focus on shallow areas during spring and fall, deeper areas during summer heat.

How do you catch Walleye in Mississippi?

Many anglers find success using trot lines. For fly fishing, keep flies just off the bottom while twitching through current and maintain subtle, intermittent retrieves.

What do Walleye eat?

Diet consisting mainly of gizzard and threadfin shad, supplemented by insects, crayfish, leeches, snails, frogs, and small mammals. Primarily nocturnal feeders.

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