Walleye
spawn annually in the spring
, when water temperatures reach 3844°F (3.6-6.7′′C), which is shortly after ice breakup in most locations (Becker 1983).
How fast do walleye reproduce?
Walleyes are broadcast spawners — the female usually dumps between
300 to 400 eggs at a time during five-minute intervals
, which are then fertilized by multiple males. The eggs then fall and stick to the bottom to incubate for 10 to 20 days.
How many times a year do walleye spawn?
Walleyes spawn in
spring
, but spring may arrive in February in Mississippi, March in Kentucky, April in the Midwest, and June in the Far North. And you can’t bet on those dates. Biologists have found walleyes laying eggs in Red Lake, Minnesota, and Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin, as early as April 5 and as late as May 7.
How do walleye eggs get fertilized?
Fresh semen from two males is
used to fertilize the eggs. Extended semen is used when males are in short supply. Fertilized eggs are covered with water and stirred for 90 s with a feather. Water is then decanted from the eggs.
How many eggs are in a walleye?
Small walleyes may produce around
50,000 eggs
while larger, older females will produce around 150,000 eggs.
How deep will walleye go?
Walleye are generally caught between
10-40 Ft.
A typical mid-sized lake in the Midwest would likely hold Walleye between the depths of 10-15 Ft. during the Spring, 15-25 Ft. transitioning to Summer, 25-40 Ft.
What temperature do walleye bite?
So is there a “real” best temperature to catch walleye at? The best water temperature to catch walleye at is between 65-70° but
any temperature above 35°
will yield walleye willing to bite. Water temperature is an important factor that drives walleye feeding and can dictate how easy they are to catch.
Can you eat walleye eggs?
Although the flavor of fish roe is usually considered to be an acquired taste, it is found to be not only palatable but quite delectable by many people. Walleye eggs can be used as either
cooked or raw ingredients in many dishes
, but can also be served as caviar.
Where do walleye lay their eggs?
Walleye spawn occurs in
shallow waters —
usually from 1 to 20 feet (0.3 to 6.1 meters) in depth and preferably rocky-bottomed areas. They use reefs, gravelly beachfronts and rip-rap used to protect the shoreline from erosion [source: Pitlo].
What size walleye produce the most eggs?
Small walleyes may produce around
50,000 eggs
while larger, older females will produce around 150,000 eggs. Releasing larger walleyes can help a fishery that doesn’t have a stable population. Also keep in mind that 80 or 90 percent of the time a walleye over 25 inches is a female and will be a good spawner.
What do walleyes eat?
DIET: Juvenile walleye feed on
invertebrates and small fish
. Adult walleye feed mostly on fish such as yellow perch
How long does a walleye live?
Walleye spawn in the spring or early summer. They spawn over gravel or rocks in rivers or shallows, where there is enough of a current to clear away sediment and aerate the eggs. Females can deposit more than 100,000 eggs, which hatch in about two weeks. A walleye lives
about 10 years on average
.
What do walleye reproduce with?
Walleyes are broadcast spawners — the female usually dumps between 300 to 400 eggs at a time during five-minute intervals, which are then fertilized by multiple males. The eggs then fall and stick to the bottom to incubate for 10 to 20 days.
What colors do walleye like?
Scientists tell us walleyes should see
red, orange, and yellow the best
, followed by green. Theory also suggests walleyes see blue and violet less well, and these colors may even appear black. Kavajecz is a firm believer that color is a major piece of the walleye-catching puzzle.
What is the best depth for walleye?
Walleye are generally caught between
10-40 Ft.
A typical mid-sized lake in the Midwest would likely hold Walleye between the depths of 10-15 Ft. during the Spring, 15-25 Ft. transitioning to Summer, 25-40 Ft.
How deep is too deep walleye?
Since no temperature or oxygen barrier deters fish movement, walleyes can be
at almost any depth
, including quite deep. The transition to soft basin at the base of a structure is particularly attractive, even if it’s as deep as 40 to 70 feet (if available) — and in some cases, even more.
