Species profile
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Identify Walleye (Sander vitreus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 46 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Walleye (Sander vitreus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 37 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Ontario); the most generous is 15 (Florida).
Across 19 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 17.4 in (≈ 1 ft 5 in).
Confirmed by 3,659 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ontario, Minnesota, and Michigan the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Named for their glassy, opaque eyes equipped with a reflective layer for superior low-light vision.
- Widely considered the best-tasting freshwater fish in North America by recreational anglers.
- The IGFA all-tackle world record weighed 25 lbs, caught in Tennessee in 1960.
- Also called 'walleyed pike,' they are members of the perch family, not true pike.
- Most active at dusk and dawn when their night vision gives them a hunting advantage.
Where Walleye are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Walleye
Background
The walleye, also called the walleyed pike, yellow pike, yellow pikeperch or yellow pickerel, is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the Northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European zander, also known as the pikeperch. The walleye is sometimes called the yellow walleye to distinguish it from the blue walleye, which is a color morph that was…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Walleye article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Walleye?
Walleye (Sander vitreus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 37 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Walleye?
Walleye is Sander vitreus.
Is Walleye regulated for fishing?
Yes — Walleye has fishing regulations in 46 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Walleye?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Walleye along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.