There is no fish in Lake Erie more sought after than walleye. Whether served fried or seared, walleye is not only a fish fry favorite, but enjoyed year round. The native Lake Erie fish, named for its pearlescent eyes that help them see in dark and muddy water, is part of the perch family and spawns in the spring and early summer. The Ohio Division of Wildlife estimated the walleye population to be 89 million in 2023.
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West Siders
The majority of walleye spawn in the western part of Lake Erie in reefs and in rivers, and as it gets warm in the summer they move toward the central part of the lake, says Ann Marie Gorman, fisheries biology supervisor with Ohio Division of Wildlife. “They’ll stay out in that cool deep water and then in the fall, they will start moving back to their spawning grounds in the west,” says Gorman.
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Fisherman’s Favorite
Gorman says that walleye tend to be a favorite among fishers because it is one of the bigger fish in Lake Erie, and they tend to put up a fight. “Catch rates for anglers are outstanding,” says Gorman. “We refer to Lake Erie as the walleye capital of the world because it has some of the best catch rates and the meat is so delicious.” Because of the way walleye travel seasonally, the fish can be caught in different parts of the lake at different times of the year on boats and offshore.
Strong Populations
The total allowable catch limit for walleye in Ohio is six fish per person, and the walleye must be 15 inches or longer. The catch limit for walleye and other fish is determined by population size, and Gorman says the walleye population is pretty solid. “The walleye population had declined in 2010, but around 2015 we really started seeing hatches around the lake so they’re in really good shape now.”
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