Sports

The Largest Walleye Ever Caught in the US, Plus Some of the Biggest State Records

Success zander fishing. Happy fisherman with big walleye fish trophy at lake
FedBul / Shutterstock.com

Walleye is one of the most common fish in the US. It occurs natively in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River drainage basins and was also introduced to all other continental states as a sport fish. The little town of Port Clinton, a small town on the shore of Lake Erie, is called the Walleye capital of the world. Each year a lot of fisherman come to the town especially to try and catch that elusive trophy walleye. (The bass, particularly the largemouth bass, is targeted by more U.S. anglers than the walleye or any other freshwater fish. Here’s a look at the 10 largest bass ever caught in the U.S.)

Walleye (Sander vitreus)

Walleye caught while fly fishing on the prairies in Alberta, Canada
Jennifer de Graaf / Shutterstock.com

Walleye are long, thin, torpedo-shaped fish. They range in color from dark olive brown to yellowish gold, with a white belly. They also have black mottling (spots) over most of its body. On the back, they have five or more black bands. Walleye sports two dorsal fins, one spiny and one soft-rayed.

The walleye has large pearlescent eyes, which is also where the name “walleye” comes from. These eyes allow the fish to see very well in low-light conditions. They will avoid bright light and feed in low light on other fish. They have a distinct advantage over their prey, as most fish do not see as well as the walleye. Walleye anglers often target the fish at night, during cloudy weather, or when the water is wavy and rough (sometimes known as “walleye chop” among walleye enthusiasts).

Walleye as Table Fare

Fish walleye cooked in the coals of the fire.
Dmytro Lopatenko / Shutterstock.com

The walleye is considered a very palatable fish. It is fished both recreationally and commercially for food. They are best caught at night with lures mimicking small fish. Walleye has a mild and sweet taste with a firm, flaky texture. It is considered a very healthy food. An average walleye serving contains just 0.5% fat. The fish contains very little oil, so there is no off-putting “fishy” smell or taste.

The Largest Walleye Ever Caught in the U.S.

Gigantic zander under night summer fishing
Piotr Wawrzyniuk / Shutterstock.com

The following list contains every walleye state record over 15 pounds in the United States. 24/7 Wall St. consulted the official databases of each state’s Department of Natural Resources (or equivalent agency) to compile the list. The world record was corroborated by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). As sportfishing’s governing body, IGFA verifies and documents fishing world records.

24. Connecticut

fishermen fishing in a lake in the early morning
Romiana Lee / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 2015 and weighed 15 pounds, 4 ounces.

23. Nevada

Man fishing on lake with fall foliage
James Ogg / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1998 and weighed 15.4 pounds.

22. Utah

Utah's Lower Kent's lake
Ronald Broad / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1991 and weighed 15 pounds, 9 ounces.

21. Virginia

Fly fisherman chasing wild trout in West Virginia's mountains
MitchCond018 / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 2000 and weighed 15 pounds, 15 ounces.

20. Arizona

Fishing at Lake Pleasant
Roger Siljander / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 2002 and weighed 16 pounds, 1.76 ounces.

19. Nebraska

Fishing poles by a Nebraska lake in the evening
Amanda Schell / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1971 and weighed 16 pounds, 2 ounces

18. Ohio

Christopher Roth / iStock via Getty Images
Ohioans flock to Lake Erie for walleye fishing.

The largest walleye was caught in 1999 and weighed 16 pounds, 3.04 ounces.

17. North Dakota

Lake sunset
Steve Jamsa / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 2021 and weighed 16 pounds, 6 ounces.

16. New Mexico

4k aerial view of the San Jaun River in New Mexico.
CactusPilot / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1989 and weighed 16 pounds, 9 ounces.

15. Michigan

Big Sable Point Lighthouse and the Lake Michigan shoreline
RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images
Lake Michigan is a lovely walleye fishery.

The largest walleye was caught in 1951 and weighed 17.19 pounds.

14. Wyoming

A man fly fishing in the Wyoming wilderness
Amanda Allard-Korell / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1991 and weighed 17.42 pounds.

13. Minnesota

Stream in Northern Minnesota. Fishing For Trout in a Remote Location.
Kallie Kantos / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1979 and weighed 17 pounds, 8 ounces.

12. Idaho

Winter fly fishing on the Salmon River, Idaho near Sun Valley
CSNafzger / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 2011 and weighed 17.88 pounds.

11. Wisconsin

Fox River, Green Bay, Wisconsin
JamesBrey / iStock via Getty Images
The Fox River in Green Bay is one of a myriad of top-notch Wisconsin walleye fisheries.

The largest walleye was caught in 1933 and weighed 18 Pounds, 0 Ounces

10. Montana

Fly-fisherman fishing in Madison river, Yellowstone Park
goodluz / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 2021 and weighed 18.02 pounds

9. Pennsylvania

Waterfall with trees and rocks in mountain in Autumn. From Pennsylvania Dingmans Falls.
Songquan Deng / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 2021 and weighed 18 pounds, 1 ounce.

8. New York

Buffalo, New York
DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Buffalo sits on the shores of Lake Erie and is a perfect place for a walleye fishing excursion.

The largest walleye was caught in 2018 and weighed 18 pounds, 2 ounces.

7. West Virginia

A landscape shot of a man kayaking and fishing on Cheat Lake in Morgantown, West Virginia in a fishing kayak
Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 2004 and weighed 18.97 pounds

6. Oregon

Fly fishing in the Metolius River
Kathy Weissgerber / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1990 and weighed 19 pounds, 15.3 ounces.

5. Washington

Mountain landscape, lake and mountain Seattle, Washington state, USA.
CK Foto / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 2014 and weighed 20.32 pounds.

4. Missouri

Abandoned Saw Mill in the Mark Twain National Forest of Missouri
Randy Kostichka / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1988 and weighed 21 pounds, 1 ounce

3. Kentucky

Sunset on Kentucky Lake
Patrick Jennings / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1958 and weighed 21.5 pounds

2. Arkansas

Father and son fishing
IrinaK / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1982 and weighed 22 pounds, 11 ounces.

1. Tennessee

Fly fishing in the Little River of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Geir Olav Lyngfjell / Shutterstock.com

The largest walleye was caught in 1960 and weighed 25 pounds, 0 ounces.

 

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