Creature Feature – Walleye Facts ‘n Fiction

Walleye are among our most popular freshwater game fish. Most experienced anglers know that walleye feed most actively at lower light conditions and frequently suspend off the bottom. A recent biologist-led study conducted on walleye predation habits found that this species tends to pursue prey, rather than employ ambush tactics like northern pike do. They prefer to attack any baitfish that strays outside the school. Therefore, if you locate a ball of baitfish on your electronics, fish your lure on the fringes of the school to trigger more strikes. 

The study also discovered that walleye usually pursue and attack from below and behind, inhaling prey from the tail region and then manipulating it in their mouth to swallow it headfirst. Walleye are more likely to attack fish that don’t have a deep body shape (their mouth is relatively small)—so thinner, elongated, contoured baits can improve your odds of catching one.

Here’s an amusing legend mentioning walleye. Supposedly, many moons ago, Paul Bunyan arrived to an area that is now Red Lake, Minnesota, raring to swing his axe. Nanabozho, a great spirit and cultural hero among the Ojibwe, didn’t want the forest destroyed and began brawling with the infamous lumberjack. After three days of fighting, Nanabozho grabbed a huge walleye and slugged Paul with it. The lumberjack was knocked backwards into a mud puddle, landing so hard that an imprint of his massive rear remained in the ground—which, the legend claims, is why Red Lake is shaped like butt cheeks!

Article & photo by Margie Manthey