A complete guide to fishing walleyes anywhere from St. Lawrence to the Columbia River, and from the Canadian north to the canyon reservoirs of the Southwest.

Walleye, the holy grail of game fish: on catching them, understanding their biology and history, and ensuring their survival Among the more than 34,000 species of fish, few have the walleye’s following—among anglers and diners, states conferring official status on the fish, and towns battling for recognition as the Walleye Capital of the World. And among those passionate fans, few know the walleye as well as Paul J. Radomski does—a fisheries biologist, lake ecology scientist, and old fisherman. In Walleye: A Beautiful Fish of the Dark he unspools the mysteries of this fascinating fish. Radomski looks at walleye from every angle, with something to say to the curious naturalist, committed ecologist, and avid fishing enthusiast. People who view walleye as the “lion of the lakes” might be surprised to learn that rivers are their ancestral habitat. Some might wonder about the name “wall-eye,” a nod to an evolutionary adaptation to dark water environments. Others might simply ask: why walleye? What are they, where do they exist, how do they survive, and how have people come to depend on them? Radomski discusses the principles and pitfalls of managing this predator of the twilight (and the history and methods of doing so) and shares his informed perspective on when and where stocking is prudent. Finally, he explores three of the best walleye lakes: Winnebago, the largest inland walleye fishery in Wisconsin, and Mille Lacs and Red Lake in Minnesota. From the simple pleasures of fishing for walleye to the most pressing questions about how this species survives, this book is the best word on this beautiful fish of the dark.

"Dive Curves" for trolling crankbaits

More than any other gamefish, walleyes have the reputation of being finicky and hard to find. While this is sometimes true, you can greatly improve your 'luck' by learning the proven strategies and techniques contained in this book. Learn to rig your boat, choose the right rods, reels, lines and lures, and how to use the latest electronics. The combination of underwater, overhead, and how-to photography makes it easier than ever to understand the basics of catching walleye. Even if the fish are hiding in the weeds or the weather isn't ideal, this book will improve your success on the water.

This book is designed for the beginner; the authors take the reader step by step through basic walleye fishing and difficult and complex methods are not discussed.

At some point, most anglers realize their sport is so much more than catching a walleye. For me, it is the enjoyment of the spring sun warming my face on a cold morning. It's the time shared with my father and brother on the water. It's the cold splash of water from a walleye as I release him back for another day. It's the feeling of excitement when the reel screams out a cry from a walleye. The exhilaration overtook me at a young age and keeps me traveling back to continue the quest each year. It has been 25 years since I began my journey. Today I feel the need to share those experiences with others standing along the shores of the Maumee River. Inside these pages you will find a lifetime of experience fishing walleye on the river. The purpose of this book is to help you become more knowledgeable about fishing the walleye run. There are special techniques that only work in the Maumee River, secret tips only known by local fishermen, and timeframes to target trophy walleyes. When I look over the river there are more unproductive locations then productive. In these pages I will walk you through identifying the key locations regardless of the weather or river conditions. This will unlock the key for success even under the toughest conditions of rising water or cold fronts. Beyond techniques I have had the opportunity to study the walleye senses. A scientific look into walleye has helped me understand why some fishing techniques work and others do not. We will dig deep to explain vision as it relates to lure color; taste and smell as it relates to impregnated and spray on scent; lateral line and hearing as it relates to lure vibrations and boat noise. The ultimate question is answered within these pages. Where are the best locations to fish for walleye on the Maumee River? This book reaches far beyond the basics techniques, perfect for a novice or experienced walleye hunter. This is the most extensive information written on the Maumee River Walleye Run today. I firmly believe the knowledge and experience you will glean from these pages will help you become an extremely successful walleye river fisherman.

Anglers will jump at the chance to get the nitty-gritty of fishing for walleye that this authoritative resource provides. Besides basic fishing knowledge and safety points, anglers investigate spinning rods and reels, jigs and crankbaits, and live bait in this text that offers students opportunities to analyze key concepts and integrate them as expected in the reading standards for literacy in science and technical subjects. Readers learn how to identify walleye, learn about their habitats and eating habits, and get essential tips about taking care of the catch. Fishing regulations and licenses, and catch-and-release techniques are explained, as are methods to preserve and document outstanding fishing experiences. Because walleye are greatly valued game fish, anglers examine the issues of overfishing, water pollution, and climate change, and ways they can contribute to walleye conservation efforts.