Walleye
Sander vitreus
America's most prized coolwater game fish, walleye are renowned for their exceptional table fare and found across the Great Lakes, Midwest reservoirs, and countless rivers from the northern plains to the eastern seaboard. Anglers pursue them at dawn and dusk when their light-sensitive eyes give them a predatory edge over baitfish.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- trolling crankbaits
- jigging
- crawler harness drifting
- casting stickbaits at night
Top Baits
- minnows
- leeches
- nightcrawlers
- jig-and-minnow
- crawler harnesses
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Walleye, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
Alabama 1 zone
15 inch minimum. 5 per day. Walleye are found mainly in the Tennessee River system in northern Alabama.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdooralabama.com
Arizona 1 zone
Found in Show Low Lake, Fool Hollow, and some Salt River reservoirs. 13 inch minimum.
Effective 2025 · Source: azgfd.com
Arkansas 1 zone
Minimum length 16 inches. Daily bag limit of 6.
Effective 2025 · Source: agfc.com
Colorado 1 zone
15-inch minimum statewide. Popular at Chatfield, Cherry Creek, and eastern plains reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: cpw.state.co.us
Connecticut 1 zone
Limited distribution in Connecticut. Found in select reservoirs and the Connecticut River system.
Effective 2025 · Source: portal.ct.gov
Idaho 1 zone
No minimum size. Limited distribution. Harvest encouraged where present.
Effective 2025 · Source: idfg.idaho.gov
Illinois 1 zone
Open year-round. Minimum size 14 inches. Sauger included in the walleye daily bag. Found in Illinois River, Fox Chain of Lakes, and various reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov
Indiana 1 zone
Open year-round on most waters. Minimum size 14 inches. Sauger and saugeye are included in the walleye daily bag. Popular in northern Indiana lakes and some reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: in.gov
Iowa 1 zone
Minimum length 15 inches. Daily bag limit of 5. Combined with sauger.
Effective 2025 · Source: iowadnr.gov
Kansas 1 zone
Minimum length 15 inches. Daily bag limit of 5. Combined with sauger and saugeye.
Effective 2025 · Source: ksoutdoors.com
Kentucky 1 zone
Minimum size 15 inches. Daily creel limit 6.
Effective 2025 · Source: fw.ky.gov
Maryland 1 zone
Found in western Maryland reservoirs including Deep Creek Lake. Open year-round.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov
Michigan 1 zone
Inland waters opener is the last Saturday in April. No more than 1 walleye over 23 inches per day. Great Lakes open all year.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Minnesota 1 zone
Inland opener is second Saturday in May. Protected slot of 17-26 inches applies on many lakes (only 1 over 26 allowed). No minimum size on most waters but protected slot effectively creates one. Border waters with Wisconsin and Canada have separate rules. Sauger included in walleye bag on some waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.state.mn.us
Mississippi 1 zone
6 per day. Found mainly in Pickwick Lake and Tennessee River system in northeast Mississippi.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdwfp.com
Missouri 1 zone
Minimum length 15 inches. Daily bag limit of 4. Combined with sauger.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdc.mo.gov
Montana 1 zone
15-inch minimum. Popular at Fort Peck, Canyon Ferry, and Tiber reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: fwp.mt.gov
Nebraska 1 zone
15 inch minimum. 4 per day, 8 in possession. Special regulations on some reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov
Nevada 1 zone
18-inch minimum, 3 fish daily limit. Found primarily in Rye Patch and Lahontan reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: ndow.org
New Jersey 1 zone
Open season varies by water body. General statewide season open most of the year. Delaware River has specific regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: nj.gov
New Mexico 1 zone
15 inch minimum. 5 per day. Found in select reservoirs including Ute, Conchas, and Clayton lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.state.nm.us
New York 1 zone
General statewide walleye season. Special regulations apply on certain waters including Lake Erie and Oneida Lake.
Effective 2025 · Source: dec.ny.gov
North Carolina 1 zone
Daily creel limit 5. Found in select piedmont and mountain lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: ncwildlife.org
North Dakota 1 zone
5 per day, 10 in possession. No minimum size on most waters. Some waters have special regulations including protected slots.
Effective 2025 · Source: gf.nd.gov
Ohio 1 zone
Open year-round on inland waters. Minimum size 15 inches. Lake Erie has separate regulations with higher bag limits (typically 6 per day but varies by zone and season). Sauger and saugeye are included in the walleye daily bag.
Effective 2025 · Source: ohiodnr.gov
Oklahoma 1 zone
18-inch minimum, 5 fish daily limit. Found primarily in northeast Oklahoma and the Arkansas River system.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlifedepartment.com
Oregon 1 zone
Found in Columbia River system. No size limit. Harvest encouraged in most waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: myodfw.com
Pennsylvania 1 zone
Extended season from January 1 through March 14 and May through December. Closed season approximately mid-March through mid-April for spawning protection. Minimum size 15 inches. Sauger and saugeye included in walleye bag. Lake Erie has separate regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: fishandboat.com
South Dakota 1 zone
15-inch minimum, 4 fish daily limit statewide. Some waters have special regulations. Walleye is the most popular game fish in South Dakota.
Effective 2025 · Source: gfp.sd.gov
Tennessee 1 zone
Minimum size 15 inches. Daily creel limit 5. Good populations in TVA reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov
Utah 1 zone
No minimum size. Found in Utah Lake and Willard Bay. Harvest encouraged.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.utah.gov
Vermont 1 zone
Found primarily in Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River. Special regulations may apply on specific waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: vtfishandwildlife.com
Virginia 1 zone
Minimum size 18 inches. Daily creel limit 5. Found in select mountain and piedmont reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: dwr.virginia.gov
Washington 1 zone
Found in Columbia River system and Banks Lake. 18-inch minimum on most waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: wdfw.wa.gov
West Virginia 1 zone
Minimum size 15 inches. Daily creel limit 6. Good populations in Burnsville and Stonewall Jackson lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: wvdnr.gov
Wisconsin 1 zone
General inland season opens first Saturday in May. Daily bag limit varies by water body; 5 is the general statewide default. Some northern waters have reduced limits or special size restrictions. Sauger may be included in the walleye bag on boundary waters.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
Wyoming 1 zone
Popular at Boysen, Glendo, and Flaming Gorge reservoirs. No minimum size statewide.
Effective 2025 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov
Special regulations on specific waters
These override the statewide rule above on the listed water.
Detroit River shares Lake Erie walleye rule: 6 per day, 15 inch minimum.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Lake Erie walleye daily limit 6. 15 inch minimum.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Lake St. Clair walleye limit 6 per day, 15 inch minimum.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Saginaw Bay allows 8 walleye per day with 13 inch minimum.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
State Records
Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.
| State | Weight | Length | Angler | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN | 25 lb | — | Mabry Harper | 1960 | Old Hickory Reservoir |
| MO | 21.06 lb | — | Gerry H. Partlow | 1988 | Bull Shoals Lake |
| WA | 20.32 lb | — | John Grubenhoff | 2014 | Lake Wallula |
| NY | 18.13 lb | — | Brian Hartman | 2018 | St. Lawrence River |
| PA | 18.06 lb | — | Richard E. Nicholson | — | Youghiogheny River |
| WI | 18 lb | — | — | 1933 | High Lake |
| MN | 17.5 lb | — | — | 1979 | Seagull River |
| MI | 17.19 lb | 35 in | — | 1951 | Pine River |
| OH | 16.19 lb | — | — | 1999 | — |
| VA | 15.94 lb | — | Anthony P. Duncan | 2000 | New River |
| IL | 15.06 lb | — | James Zimmerman | 2012 | Pecatonica River |
| IN | 14.25 lb | — | Leon Richart | 1974 | Little Kankakee River |
| GA | 14.13 lb | — | Wes Carlton | 2016 | Lake Rabun |
| NC | 13.5 lb | — | Lamar L. Cofer | 1986 | Lake Chatuge |
| TX | 11.88 lb | — | Hank McWilliams Jr. | 1990 | Lake Meredith |
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