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Walleye

Walleye

Walleye in New York are the state's most prized sportfish, known for their distinctive glassy, reflective eyes caused by a tapetum lucidum that provides excellent low-light vision. They're the largest member of the perch family.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Typically weighing 1-3 pounds, though they can reach impressive sizes - the current state record is 18 pounds 2 ounces from the St.
  • Lawrence River.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Historically native only to the Great Lakes, St.
  • Lawrence River, and Allegheny River watersheds, walleye now inhabit over 140 waters across all major New York watersheds due to extensive stocking programs.
  • They thrive in large shallow lakes with gravel shoals and accessible tributaries, and in large productive river systems.

Key Locations

  • Peak walleye waters include Lake Erie, Oneida Lake, the St.
  • Lawrence River, Black Lake, Tupper Lake, Union Falls Flow, Harris Lake, and numerous Finger Lakes.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on structure-rich areas like drop-offs, weed edges, rocky points, submerged ledges, and wind-blown shorelines.
  • In rivers, target deeper pools, current seams, and areas below dams.
  • They seek areas with structure like logs, rocks, and submerged vegetation.

Walleye FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Walleye in New York?

Essential lures include jigs (1/8 to 1/4 ounce) tipped with live bait like minnows, leeches, or nightcrawlers, with chartreuse being the most effective color during daylight hours. Blade baits, crankbaits (deep-diving), and stickbaits work excellently for covering water.

What flies work for Walleye in New York?

Targeting walleye with Clouser minnows, woolly buggers, sculpin patterns, leech flies, and streamers in colors like black, brown, purple, white, and chartreuse.

When is the best time to fish for Walleye in New York?

The prime walleye fishing seasons in New York are May through June and September through November, with May and June offering the best opportunities when fish move to shallow or semi-shallow areas near shorelines.

How do you catch Walleye in New York?

Live bait rigs including slip bobbers, spinner rigs, and bottom bouncing setups are highly effective. On lakes, troll crankbaits or fish vertically with jigs in 15-30 foot depths during summer heat, returning to shallower areas in fall when water cools.

What do Walleye eat?

Walleye are opportunistic predators that feed primarily on small baitfish like shiners, minnows, shad, and alewives, supplemented by aquatic insects, crayfish, leeches, and invertebrates.

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