This Area is owned and maintained by: City of Memphis. The land surrounding the lake and all non-fishing related activities are managed by the City of Memphis.
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Scientific Name
Sander vitreus
Family
Percidae (perches) in the order Perciformes (perch-like fishes)
Description
The walleye is a slender, spiny-rayed fish with two separate dorsal fins. The mouth is large, the upper jaw extending about to the hind edge of the eye. The jaws and roof of the mouth have prominent teeth. The hind edge of the bone just in front of the gill cover is saw-toothed. The tail is forked. The back and sides are yellowish or olive brown with darker mottlings and blotches. The belly is white. There are two separate dorsal fins. The spinous dorsal fin is streaked and blotched with black, usually with a large black blotch near the bases of the last few spines. The eyes of this nocturnal fish are very reflective.
Size
Adult length: 12–28 inches; weight: 8 ounces to 8 pounds. Much larger specimens can occur.
Where To Find
Found in large streams throughout Missouri and occurs naturally or via stocking in many reservoirs.
Habitat and Conservation
Inhabits open water of lakes and reservoirs and the pools of streams. In the Current River, most are found in pools 12 feet or deeper where the bottom is broken up by boulders or submerged logs. By day they stay in these depths. At night they move to shallower water.
Food
Fry eat small crustaceans and insects. Insects, particularly mayflies, are a significant food item throughout life, but fish are the principal food of adults. Walleyes are nocturnal and retreat to deep water during the day. The opaque “walleyed” appearance of this species is a result of their eyes’ adaptation for seeing in low light.
Status
Numbers of walleye are increasing in this state due to increased stocking over the past decade.
Life Cycle
Life Cycle
Walleye are one of the first fish to spawn in spring. Spawning typically begins when water temperatures exceed 46F. Mature walleye spawn on gravel shoals of tributary streams that flow into large reservoirs and on rocky points or along the rocky face of dams within the reservoir. Eggs are deposited along the rocks and left to develop without any parental care.
Human Connections
Excellent sporting qualities, large size, and firm, tender flesh make the walleye one of the most important freshwater game fishes on the continent. In other states it is fished commercially, but in Missouri it is strictly a game fish.
Ecosystem Connections
Like all fish, walleye begin life as tiny fry that are vulnerable and serve as food to many kinds of fish, but the walleye that survive and grow large often become the top predators of their waters, feeding almost exclusively on smaller fish.
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Media Gallery
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Walleye, Sander vitreus
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Lance Merry
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MDC Staff
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Video of walleye in the wild.
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Similar Species
Similar Species
Where to See Species
This area has a concrete boat ramp and offers access to the Salt River.
Camping is not allowed.
Camping is not allowed.
This area provides access to the South Fork Salt River but there is no boat ramp.
About Fishes in Missouri
Missouri has more than 200 kinds of fish, more than are found in most neighboring states. Fishes live in water, breathe with gills, and have fins instead of legs. Most are covered with scales. Most fish in Missouri “look” like fish and could never be confused with anything else. True, lampreys and eels have snakelike bodies — but they also have fins and smooth, slimy skin, which snakes do not.