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Walleye

Walleye

The walleye is the largest member of the Percidae family in North America and is considered the unofficial state fish of Ohio. These are opportunistic predatory fish that hunt mainly at night using their superior vision.

Scientific Name: Sander vitreus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These predatory fish typically measure 14-22 inches and weigh 2-4 pounds, though they can reach up to 36 inches and 16 pounds.
  • Walleye are distinguished by their olive, gray, or silver coloration with dark saddles across their backs, large sharp teeth, and characteristic cloudy, opaque eyes caused by a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum that provides excellent low-light vision.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Walleye prefer clear to slightly turbid waters of large lakes and rivers, occurring in greatest abundance over reefs, shoals of gravel, bedrock, and firm bottoms.

Key Locations

  • In Ohio, walleye are abundant in Lake Erie and can be found upstream to the first dam in several larger tributaries.
  • They're also present in the Ohio River and are stocked in numerous Ohio reservoirs including Mosquito Creek Lake, Alum Creek, Atwood, and West Branch.
  • Target Lake Erie's western basin reef complex near Port Clinton.
  • Other productive areas include Sandusky Bay, Huron River outflows, and various Ohio reservoirs.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on rocky reefs, drop-offs, weed lines, current seams, and areas where hard bottom transitions to softer substrate.
  • Target shorelines, points, and drop-offs in 6-14 feet of water for jig fishing, and mid-lake structures in 18-35 feet for metal lures.

Walleye FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

1/8 to 5/8-ounce jigs with soft plastic minnows (3-5 inches), bucktail jigs (work well in cold water conditions), swimbaits on jigs, crankbaits (shallow-diving and lipless), spoons, spinners with nightcrawlers, deep-diving crankbaits, blade baits, jigging spoons.

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

The best walleye fishing in Ohio occurs from spring through fall, with July being the peak month for limit catches according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Spring fishing begins in May post-spawn when fish are aggressive and hungry, continuing through June as water temperatures stabilize.

How do you catch Walleye in Ohio?

For jig fishing, use jigs in 6-14 feet of water around shorelines, points, and drop-offs. Try swimbaits on jigs for covering water and targeting shallow fish at night. For trolling, employ spoons, spinners with nightcrawlers, and deep-diving crankbaits.

What do Walleye eat?

They feed primarily on gizzard shad and other small fish, though young walleye start with zooplankton and insect larvae before shifting to fish. Their diet varies with available forage including yellow perch, crayfish, mayfly nymphs, and various baitfish.

Where do Walleye live in Ohio?

Walleye prefer clear to slightly turbid waters of large lakes and rivers, occurring in greatest abundance over reefs, shoals of gravel, bedrock, and firm bottoms.

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