Walleye Native

🔬 Sander vitreus

Prized table fish. Most active at dawn, dusk, and on overcast days.

1-4 lbs, 14-22 inches

Typical size

17 lbs 3 oz

Michigan record

Spring, Fall

Best season

362

Listed lakes

🛡 Conservation Status

Native Michigan's most sought-after sport fish. Healthy statewide populations supported by MDNR stocking.

Found statewide in lakes and rivers. Prefers moderate depths with sandy or gravel bottoms. Active at low light.

Jigs with minnows, crawler harnesses, trolling crankbaits

Lake	County	Population	Notes
Brevoort Lake 4,179 acres	Mackinac	Excellent	Consistent walleye producer
Burt Lake 17,120 acres	Cheboygan	Excellent	Inland Waterway system ÔÇö trophy walleye
Coldwater Lake 1,561 acres	Branch	Excellent	Southern Michigan premier walleye lake
Croton Pond 1,605 acres	Newaygo	Excellent	Muskegon River impoundment — drift fishing
Fletcher Pond 8,600 acres	Montmorency	Excellent	One of Michigan's top walleye lakes. Spring and fall runs.
Fremont Lake 1,700 acres	Newaygo	Excellent	MDNR stocked walleye ÔÇö consistent producer
Hardy Pond 4,025 acres	Newaygo	Excellent	Premier walleye trolling water
Houghton Lake 20,044 acres	Roscommon	Excellent	Most fished walleye lake in Michigan
Indian Lake 8,689 acres	Schoolcraft	Excellent	UP gem ÔÇö consistent walleye action
Lake Gogebic 13,380 acres	Gogebic	Excellent	World-class walleye ÔÇö UP landmark fishery
Lake Michigamme 4,149 acres	Marquette	Excellent	—
Lake Mitchell 2,580 acres	Wexford	Excellent	Walleye thrive in this protected state park lake.
Lake St. Clair 260,000 acres	Macomb	Excellent	Top walleye destination in Michigan. Spring opener draws thousands.
Onaway Lake 2,500 acres	Presque Isle	Excellent	—
Pickerel Lake 840 acres	Newaygo	Excellent	MDNR stocked annually
Alcona Pond	Alcona	Good	—
Au Sable Lake	Ogemaw	Good	—
Au Sable River	Iosco	Good	—
Au Sable River	Oscoda	Good	—
AuGres	Arenac	Good	—

Total stocked: 678,355,409

Stocking events: 7,692

Peak year: 1982 (32,565,457)

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