Walleye
A large predatory member of the perch family, named for its large, glossy eyes, and one of the most popular table-fish targets in the states that stock it.
- Scientific name
- Sander vitreus
- Family
- Percidae
- Adult size
- Commonly 14–22 inches in stocked waters.
Identification
Olive-gold, mottled body, large reflective eyes adapted for low-light feeding, and a distinctive white tip on the lower lobe of the tail.
Habitat
Lakes, reservoirs, and large rivers; often most active in low light or turbid water.
Diet
Primarily other fish, hunted using excellent low-light vision at dawn, dusk, and at night.
Angling
Highly regarded as table fare; typically targeted with jigs, live bait rigs, or trolled crankbaits, often after dark.
Where Walleye is stocked
When Walleye is stocked
Top Walleye waters
Fort Peck Lake
16 species · 1842 records
Last stocked July 2025
Yellowstone River
16 species · 1781 records
Last stocked October 2010
Missouri River
19 species · 1417 records
Last stocked October 2010
Scofield Reservoir
CARBON County · 6 species · 1181 records
Last stocked July 2026
Hauser Reservoir
10 species · 897 records
Last stocked April 2026
Beaver Creek
13 species · 697 records
Last stocked June 2014
Cooney Reservoir
7 species · 638 records
Last stocked May 2026
Rainbow Dam Reservoir
4 species · 487 records
Last stocked October 2025
Echo Reservoir
SUMMIT County · 6 species · 465 records
Last stocked May 2026
Willow Creek Reservoir
5 species · 460 records
Last stocked June 2026
Dailey Lake
11 species · 411 records
Last stocked May 2026
Banks Lake
Grant County · 7 species · 407 records
Last stocked April 2026
Beaver Creek Reservoir
9 species · 342 records
Last stocked April 2026
Liberty Lake
Spokane County · 7 species · 332 records
Last stocked May 2026
Milk River
13 species · 325 records
Last stocked May 2014
Moon Lake
DUCHESNE County · 7 species · 298 records
Last stocked July 2026
Starvation Reservoir
SAN JUAN County · 12 species · 291 records
Last stocked July 2026
Black River
Oneida County · 6 species · 290 records
Last stocked May 2026
Pishkun Reservoir
8 species · 289 records
Last stocked May 2026
Rainbow Lake
9 species · 276 records
Last stocked September 2025
Columbia Park Pond
Benton County · 11 species · 261 records
Last stocked May 2026
Sprague Lake
Adams County · 8 species · 256 records
Last stocked May 2026
Tongue River
13 species · 247 records
Last stocked April 2020
Bighorn Lake
9 species · 243 records
Last stocked June 2025
Frequently asked
Where is Walleye stocked?
Walleye is stocked in 214 waters across 4 states: Montana, New York, Utah, Washington.
When is Walleye stocked?
Walleye is typically stocked in summer, most often in June, based on records across every state that stocks it.
How many Walleye are stocked?
About 12,589,606,930,310,984,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 Walleye have been stocked on record since 1933, across Montana, New York, Utah, Washington.
What size Walleye are stocked?
Stocked Walleye average about 1.5 inches, based on sizes reported by Montana, New York, Utah — not every state reports sizes.
What does a Walleye look like?
Olive-gold, mottled body, large reflective eyes adapted for low-light feeding, and a distinctive white tip on the lower lobe of the tail.