by Deon
Walleye fishing has become increasingly popular in recent years and
presents a whole series
of added challenges to
the angler. Walleyes are
fascinating fish and
very complex as a
species. They are fresh
water fish, found
predominantly in Canada
and the Northern United
States. There are
mainly two types of
Walleyes, the Yellow
Walleye and the Blue
Walleye and as the names
imply is only a
difference in color,
although very subtle. In
some parts they are
being referred to as te
Yellow Pike or Pickerel,
although this is
technically incorrect as
they are part of a
different family of fish
altogether. Walleyes
as a species has been
artificially propagated
for over a century and
has been planted on top
of existing populations
or introduced into
waters naturally devoid
of the species,
sometimes reducing the
overall genetic
distinctiveness of
populations.
Genetically, walleyes
show a fair amount of
variation across
watersheds. In general,
fish within a watershed
are quite similar and
are genetically distinct
from those of nearby
watersheds. The
walleye is often
considered to have the
best tasting flesh of
any freshwater fish,
and, consequently, is
fished recreationally
and commercially.
Because of its nocturnal
feeding habits, it is
most easily caught at
night using live minnows
or lures that mimic
small fishes. This
should be of special
interest to the more
serious angler, looking
for an opportunity to
get out there at night
when the walleye is most
active. Night fishing
has become increasingly
popular because of the
added challenge it
presents to the angler.
It can be very dangerous
though and care should
be taken, especially if
you are inexperienced.
Like a cat, the walleye
fish's eye have a very
distinct reflective glow
at night. This unique
feature allows them to
see well in relatively
low lighting levels -
making them effective as
nocturnal feeders. They
are also able to see
very well in murky and
more turbulent waters,
giving them the edge
over their prey. When
fishing for walleyes,
finding these water
conditions can be a good
indication of the
presence of walleyes.
Apart from their unique
eyes, the Walleye is
predominantly olive and
gold in colour with the
dorsal side of a being
more olive, grading into
a golden hue on the
flanks. This golden
olive pattern is broken
up by five darker
saddles that extend to
the upper sides of the
fish. These beautiful
colors fade to white on
the belly. The mouth of
a walleye is large and
is armed with many sharp
teeth. The first dorsal
and anal fins are
spinous as is the
operculum. Walleyes are
often confused with
Saugers and they
actually look very
alike. The main
difference however, is
the white coloration on
the lower lobe of the
tail. Many anglers catch
Saugers and claim their
catch to be a Walleye
without even knowing the
difference. Although
some populations of
Walleye spawn on sand
and vegetation, they
generally require fairly
clean waters and are
found most often in deep
mesotrophic lakes and
moderate- to
low-gradient rivers.
This is why Canada
offers such a perfect
location for the Walleye
to flourish. The walleye
is considered a "cool
water" species. Adults
migrate to tributary
streams in late winter
or early spring to lay
eggs over gravel and
rock, although there are
open water reef or shoal
spawning strains as
well. This offers an
added opportunity for
fishing the Walleye and
an alternative to
fishing for them at
night and on lakes.
Both juvenile and adult
walleyes eat fish almost
exclusively, frequently
yellow perch or ciscoes,
moving onto bars and
shoals at night to feed.
This tends to be the
best bait although the
locals might have some
better ideas (as they
always do). One of
the best lakes for
catching walleyes is
Mille Lacs in central
Minnesota. Several lakes
in Canada have large
populations of Walleye
and any good guide will
be able to show you the
best spots. Walleyes are
fascinating fish and a
great fish to fish for.
google
About the Author The article is published with the
permission of
<strong>Fishing Canada
Alaska.Com</strong>. For
more up to date
information and tips on
Fishing in Canada and
Alaska, please feel
free to visit
http://fishingalaskacanada.com
|
