![Success zander fishing. Happy fisherman with big walleye fish trophy at lake](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-2141614557-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
![Success zander fishing. Happy fisherman with big walleye fish trophy at lake](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-2141614557-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-2250179647-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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.](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-549932188-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-2027051399-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-220473799-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 2015 and weighed 15 pounds, 4 ounces.
23. Nevada
![Man fishing on lake with fall foliage](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-2384785011-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 1998 and weighed 15.4 pounds.
22. Utah
![Utah's Lower Kent's lake](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-548692744-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-1241641081-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 2000 and weighed 15 pounds, 15 ounces.
20. Arizona
![Fishing at Lake Pleasant](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-528447010-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-1529203523-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 1971 and weighed 16 pounds, 2 ounces
18. Ohio
![](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/imageForEntry10-pyf.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 1999 and weighed 16 pounds, 3.04 ounces.
17. North Dakota
![Lake sunset](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-151430279-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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.](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-1656166330-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 1989 and weighed 16 pounds, 9 ounces.
15. Michigan
![Big Sable Point Lighthouse and the Lake Michigan shoreline](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/imageForEntry38-eyY.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 1951 and weighed 17.19 pounds.
14. Wyoming
![A man fly fishing in the Wyoming wilderness](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-2249487505-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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.](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-1481902772-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-1365655541-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 2011 and weighed 17.88 pounds.
11. Wisconsin
![Fox River, Green Bay, Wisconsin](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/imageForEntry15-GgS.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 1933 and weighed 18 Pounds, 0 Ounces
10. Montana
![Fly-fisherman fishing in Madison river, Yellowstone Park](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-706303234-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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.](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-76737208-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 2021 and weighed 18 pounds, 1 ounce.
8. New York
![Buffalo, New York](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/imageForEntry13-6m6.jpg)
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](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-1761589727-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 2004 and weighed 18.97 pounds
6. Oregon
![Fly fishing in the Metolius River](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-701905549-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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.](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-1244391913-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-1850897011-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 1988 and weighed 21 pounds, 1 ounce
3. Kentucky
![Sunset on Kentucky Lake](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-581373826-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 1958 and weighed 21.5 pounds
2. Arkansas
![Father and son fishing](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-148981010-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
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](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/shutterstock-38629120-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
The largest walleye was caught in 1960 and weighed 25 pounds, 0 ounces.
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