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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Subtropical

Walleye

Sander vitreus Mitchill, 1818
Max Length
107 cm
Max Weight
11.3 kg
Lifespan
29 yrs
Trophic Level
4.5
Depth
0–27 m
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
45.00/100

📖 Overview

Adults occur in lakes, pools, backwaters, and runs of medium to large rivers. Frequently found in clear water, usually near brush . They prefer large, shallow lakes with high turbidity . Rarely found in brackish waters . They feed at night, mainly on insects and fishes (with preference for yellow perch and freshwater drum but will take any fish available) also feed on crayfish, snails, frogs, mudpuppies, and small mammals when fish and insects are scarce . Although not widely farmed commercially for consumption, large numbers are hatched and raised for stocking lakes for game fishing . Utilized fresh or frozen; eaten pan-fried, broiled, microwaved and baked .

Scientific Name
Sander vitreus
Authority
Mitchill, 1818
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
107 cm
Max Weight
11.3 kg
Lifespan
29 years
Depth Range
0–27 m
Trophic Level
4.5
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
45.00/100
Migration
Potamodromous
Water Temp
1–29 °C

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18 - 22; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 11 - 14; Vertebrae: 44 - 48. Nuptial tubercles absent. Differentiation of sexes difficult. Branchiostegal rays 7,7 or 7,8 .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Walleye is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Walleye is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Spawn Location
Pelagic
Size at Maturity
42.5cm TL

Spawning occurs in small groups (a larger female and two smaller males or two females and up to six males) that engage in chasing, circular swimming, and fin erection. The group then ascends to shallow water, females roll on their side, and eggs and sperm are released. Deposition of eggs usually occurs in a single night . Larvae pelagic .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; potamodromous ; depth range 0 - 27 m . Subtropical; 1°C - 29°C ; 70°N - 30°N, 137°W - 69°W North America: St.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater 🌿 Brackish
Migration
Potamodromous
Trophic Level
4.5
Food Items

crayfish, snails, frogs, mudpuppies, and small mammals when fish and insects are scarce (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00631 × L3.15 (TL)
Max TL
107cm
Max Weight
11,300g
Dorsal Spines
15
Dorsal Rays
20
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
13
Vertebrae
46

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
1–29°C

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2012

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
45.00/100
Moderate vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.5
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Mitchill, 1818

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.1 g
Omega-3 (total) 170 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Walleye has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Blue Pike · Dory · European Perch · Glass Eye · Gray Pike · Green Pike · Jack Salmon · Marble Eye · Okow · Pickerel · Pike-perch · Wall-eyed Pickerel · Wall-eyed Pike · Wall-eyed Pike-perch · walleye · Walleye Pickerel · Walleye Pike · Walleyed Pike · Yellow Pickerel · Yellow Pike · Yellow Pike Perch · yellow walleye
🇫🇷French doré jaune
🇳🇱Dutch Breedbekbaars
🇸🇪Swedish Glasögongös
🇨🇳Chinese 碧古

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Lucioperca americana Cuvier 1828 Synonym
Lucioperca grisea DeKay 1842 Synonym
Perca vitrea Mitchill 1818 Synonym
Sander vitreus glaucus Hubbs 1926 Synonym
Stizostedion glaucum Hubbs 1926 Synonym
Stizostedion virtreum Mitchill 1818 Synonym
Stizostedion vitreum Mitchill 1818 Synonym
Stizostedion vitreum glaucum Hubbs 1926 Synonym
Stizostedion vitreum vitreum Mithchill 1818 Synonym
Stizostedium vitreum Synonym
Stizostedium vitreum vitreum Mithchill 1818 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 73 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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