WALLEYE FISHINGWalleye Fishing. To some anglers, it's the only fish to stalk and catch. I have beneficial tips and secrets on how to land the big one. Never-seen-before recipes to cook it like a pro. Let's get started.
Walleye fishing is so much fun. It's like walleye central here at times, but we don't mind because we really enjoy it. Carl caught this on 30 Dec 09; she was 29-3/4" long and weighed 10 lbs 3oz; and FAT (girth was 17-1/2 inches). The other one is 18-1/8" and weighed 2 pounds. When you can see the fish you are trying to land - first look for two of the main characteristics. The reflective eyes; the white on the tip of the tail and on the back outside edge of the anal fin. If you see these signs have just caught a "willy." They are a ball to catch and put up a good fight.
The difference between the two? The sauger have spots on the dorsal (top) fin and no white tipping on the tail. It also has blotchy patches on the sides and is a river fish. (unless it is dammed up) Saugers do not get as big as their cousins and will feed all day; walleyes feed in low light periods and at night. The offspring of these two fish are called saugeye. They have both characteristics. Spots on the dorsal fin and on the tip of the back bottom lobe. There you have it. So now when you are walleye fishing and catch one - you'll know all about it.
If the fish you caught is 15 inches long and weighs just over 1 pound; you've just landed a average sized fish. In Wisconsin it takes 5 years for them to grow 15 inches and the female is larger than the male (and smarter of course). When do they spawn? They are not territorial like the salmon and broadcast their eggs anywhere in rocky streams and shorelines. They like shallow water; one to three feet deep. When the water temperature is 34-36 degrees, the "guys" are already scoping the lake and rivers for spawning areas. They are biting at this time and up until the female joins them on the bed.
Peak spawning times are when the water reaches approximately 42-43 degrees. It takes almost two weeks for the eggs to hatch and are around 1/4 inch long. The water current will hopefully take them to areas in the water that are abundant in food, where they can also hide from just about anything that moves until they get bigger. How do you catch one? In the mouth of course. Walleye fishing is a little different. Casting and catching is not as easy as a bluegill, but once you get the hang of it you will be landing more walleyes than you ever thought you could. What do you use for walleye bait? This predator is a perch-addict. When you are catching perch, just know that walleyes are also in the area. I catch them (and perch) by vertically jigging just off the bottom of the lake with minnows, leeches and even night crawlers.
Speaking of mercury; women in child-bearing years (and children until the age of 18) should only consume walleye, muskie, northern pike (predators really) once a month. Panfish can be eaten once a week. Here's a walleye fishing tip; in a lake, find a point or inside turn or underwater humps are the first places to look. Predator fish are just like animals; they routinely follow weed trails back and forth from water up to 14 feet deep.
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We do not fish rivers around here; they are polluted and the fish are full of mercury (and who knows what else). But if you only fish the rivers, your best bet are the wing dams.
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FEATURED RECIPE:
HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY MUFFIN RECIPE
2 cups flour
1 cup white sugar
1 TBS baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup milk or half-and-half
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp strawberry extract (optional)
1-1/2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered
Top the muffins with my Old-Fashioned Cream Cheese Frosting
(only make half of the recipe)
whole strawberries, halved (garnish)
powdered sugar (garnish)
PREHEAT oven to 400 degrees. Grease or use paper lined muffin tin; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Combine eggs, milk, oil and strawberry extract. Stir into the dry ingredients and mix JUST until incorporated (there will be lumps). Fold in quartered strawberries.
Spoon into greased muffin tins and sprinkle tops lightly with white sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar and top with a dollop of cream cheese frosting. Nestle a halved strawberry on top and smile. You just created a "good thing."
Strawberry Banana Muffins
add 3/4 cups strawberries and
3/4 cup chopped banana
Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins
add 1 cup strawberries and
1/2 cup chopped rhubarb
photo courtesy of *christine** at flickr.com