Anglers often wonder, What does walleye eat? The answer is tied to growth and light. Walleye are cool-water fish that eat small things first. Then, they grow to eat bigger fish.
They have special eyes that help them hunt in the dark. This makes them great hunters at dawn, dusk, and night.
Adult walleye mainly eat yellow perch, minnows, and shad. They also eat crayfish, insect larvae, and worms. Young walleye start with tiny animals and then eat baitfish.
They are most active when the water is 60–70°F. Knowing what walleye eat helps you find them. Look for where they like to hide and hunt.
From big lakes to rivers, knowing their food helps. It tells you when and where to fish. This way, you can catch more fish and learn more about walleye.
Walleye diet at a glance: prey fish, invertebrates, and opportunistic feeding
Walleyes eat what the water gives them. They hunt prey fish in clear or dim light. When it gets darker, they go for invertebrates.
They have special eyes and teeth for quick strikes and steady grazing. This helps them catch food along structures.
Primary forage: yellow perch, minnows, and shad
Adult walleyes love to eat yellow perch, which are common in lakes. Minnows fill in the gaps, found in many places. Shad, like threadfin and gizzard, are also big food sources in big waters.
They hunt in schools, following bait balls at dawn and dusk. Darters, bullheads, and drum are also on the menu. These fish are easy to catch when it’s hard to see.
Secondary foods: crayfish, insects, and worms
When fish are hard to find, walleyes go to the bottom. They look for crayfish in rocky areas. In weedy bays, they catch insect larvae and worms.
Young walleyes start with zooplankton, then move to larvae and small baitfish. This helps them grow as the water warms up.
Opportunism and piscivory, including cannibalism
Walleyes are great hunters, using edges and following wind. They also eat what’s available, like soft-rayed fish or crustaceans.
When space is tight, walleyes may eat their own young. This happens in late summer or under ice, when food is scarce.
| Food Type | Common Examples | Best Conditions | Why Walleyes Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary walleye prey fish | Yellow perch forage, minnows, shad forage | Low light, slight chop, stained water | High energy return and easy ambush in reduced visibility |
| Secondary invertebrates | Crayfish, insect larvae, worms | Post-front, hatch periods, rocky or weedy cover | Abundant, predictable, and close to bottom structure |
| Opportunistic targets | Young-of-year baitfish, small drum, darters | Seasonal booms, bait balls, current edges | Walleyes adapt quickly to whatever is most available |
| Piscivory and cannibalism | Small walleyes, fry, fingerlings | Forage gaps, crowding, winter | Cannibalism in walleye fills energy needs when other prey are scarce |
How age and size change a walleye’s menu
As walleyes grow, their diet changes. They start with small food and then eat bigger, more energy-rich prey. This change helps them grow and take over the food supply.
From zooplankton and insect larvae to fish as teeth develop
New walleyes must eat quickly, within 3–5 days. They start with zooplankton in calm water. As they get better, they eat insect larvae and small fish.
When they get teeth and fins, they start to eat small fish. This helps them grow faster as the days get longer.
Growth milestones and diet shifts through the first year
By late spring, they are about 1.5–2 inches long. By fall, they are 4–6 inches long. They start to eat minnows and young perch.
As they grow, they can eat bigger prey. By age 1, they are 5 inches long. By age 2, they are 10 inches. By age 3, they are 14 inches. This means they can eat more energy-rich food, like fish, in low light.
Female vs. male growth rates and implications for feeding
Females grow faster than males. This means they start eating bigger prey sooner. Females can grow up to 15–17 inches in 4–5 years. Males grow smaller and faster.
This size difference means females eat bigger prey like shad and perch. Early growth helps females expand their range. This affects where, when, and how they eat.
Low-light hunters: why walleye feed best at dawn, dusk, and night
Walleyes act like clockwork when light fades. As the sun slides low, they move shallow. They set up along bars, shoals, and weed edges.
Their eyes have a special layer. It lets them see in the dark. This makes them fierce hunters at dawn and dusk.
Tapetum lucidum and superior night vision
The mirrored layer in a walleye’s eye reflects light. This boosts contrast and motion detection in the dark. It helps them hunt minnows, perch, and shad.
This is why they bite more after sunset. Many anglers plan their fishing around dawn and dusk in late spring and fall.
For tactics and species behavior, see this quick guide to trophy walleye at night. It talks about lure choices and stealthy approaches.
Clouds, turbidity, and wave chop extending daytime feeding
Dimmer days turn on walleyes. Cloud cover, rising turbidity, and a stiff wind all cut glare. This extends feeding into midday.
Under these conditions, walleyes move from deep breaks to mid-depth flats. They also go to shadowed cover. This makes feeding windows last longer.
When light levels drop fast, walleyes position sharply. They slide upcurrent sides of reefs or along wind lines. This often stacks bait and sparks steady, deliberate strikes.
Nocturnal predation on resting baitfish
After dark, walleyes work like sentries. They track silhouettes of resting baitfish. They pick off perch or shad that lose their edge in murk.
This is classic low-light predation. It’s precise, quiet, and efficient.
On calm nights, listen for subtle pops near gravel or cabbage. These cues mark lanes where night feeding fish patrol. Time casts to rising moonlight or just before full dark for the best bites.
Seasonal patterns: what walleyes eat in spring, summer, fall, and winter
The walleye diet changes with the seasons. This is due to light, wind, and water temperature. For more on this, check out walleye behavior in each season.
Spring spawning movements and aggressive feeding in wind-swept shallows
When water gets to mid-40s to low-50s, males go to rocky shores and gravel bars. Females follow and then move away to recover. After that, feeding gets intense in 1–6 feet where wind brings minnows and perch fry.
Use shallow crankbaits, light jigs, and leeches. The diet includes young perch, chubs, and insects along rocks and weeds.
Summer deep-water foraging and following bait schools
With water in the mid-60s to low-70s, fish go deeper. They follow shad and minnows over basins and breaklines. This is when they hunt in deep water.
Use snap-jigging spoons, spinner rigs, and crankbaits that dive 20–40 feet. The diet includes cisco, smelt, and shad for growth.
Fall feeding windows and increased activity
Cooling days make fish active at dusk and dawn. The fall feeding window is short but intense. Fish school and feed at edges and reefs.
Focus on perch, shiners, and young shad. Use glide baits and big minnows to catch them. The diet is rich in calories for winter.
Under-ice diets and early-ice feeding spurts
First ice brings a bite as oxygen and clarity improve. Fish roam points and humps, picking off perch and shiners. Midwinter is slow, then picks up near late-ice.
Use deadsticks with live minnows and subtle spoons. Sound and flash are key under ice.
| Season | Typical Location | Water Temp (°F) | Primary Forage | Best Low-Light Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Wind-swept rocks, gravel shoals, inlets (1–6 ft) | Mid-40s to low-50s | Young perch, minnows, early insects | Dawn, dusk, and post-spawn nights |
| Summer | Breaklines and suspended over deep basins | Mid-60s to low-70s | Shad, smelt/cisco, pelagic minnows | Twilight and night over structure edges |
| Fall | Reefs, weed edges, channel bends, shallows at night | Cooling trend | Perch, shiners, young shad | Compressed dawn and dusk bursts |
| Winter | Points, humps, and basin lips near bottom | Near-freezing | Perch, shiners, invertebrates | Early ice and late-ice surges |
Habitat matters: where walleyes find their food
Think of prime walleye habitat as a map of edges. Walleyes like reefs and shoals, bars, and rocky breaks. They find bait where it moves along these lines.
As cool-water predators, they use shadows and currents to sneak up. They strike in dim water, near weed edges and where the bottom changes.
By day, they hide deeper and closer to ambush spots. They hide on the downwind side of points and on the dark side of boulders. At night, they move shallower to hunt.
In midsummer, they go to deep basins for cool water. Some stay suspended to catch pelagic forage. Then, they move to weed edges or rock spines to hunt.
Large lakes and bays have current seams and breaklines. Walleyes follow these paths, using ambush spots to catch schools. They find edges and flow, then hunt for food.
Regional focus: Lake Erie walleye forage base
Shallow and fertile, Lake Erie is surrounded by Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan. It’s a big fishery. Walleyes move around, following the weather and water clarity.
Threadfin shad are a main food for walleyes. They swim in schools, and walleyes catch them near structures. Yellow perch and young fish also eat them, but shad are key.
Threadfin shad as a staple prey in Lake Erie
When shad move to flats or over basins, walleyes follow. They hide below the shad and strike up. On calm days, a little wind can make them bite.
Use of bays, reefs, rocks, and ledges for ambush feeding
Erie’s reefs and bays are important spots. Walleyes hide and then jump out to eat. Windy spots with sand or gravel are good in spring. Rock tips and reef spines are good in the middle of the day.
Temperature bands (60–70°F) and feeding locations by season
Walleyes feed best in 60–70°F water. In spring, they go to shore and then to breaks. Summer finds them deeper or in open water. This pattern helps find walleyes all year.
Food web dynamics: walleye, yellow perch, and prey cycles
The walleye–perch relationship is key for anglers and biologists. In Midwestern lakes, forage cycles change. This affects how fish eat and where they hide.
When perch numbers go up, things change fast. Your sonar shows only part of the story.
Mutual predation: perch eat walleye fry; adult walleyes eat perch
Yellow perch eat walleye fry in spring. This is when cover is thin. Later, adult walleyes eat young perch.
This back-and-forth keeps both species in balance. It ties them to the same forage cycles.
Too many big walleyes get caught, and perch numbers go up. Then, perch eat too many fry. This makes walleye numbers go down until predators come back.
Year-class booms and busts shaping walleye growth and angling
Weather, plankton, and wind affect year-class strength. A big perch hatch fills weedlines and mid-depth flats with food. This can guide growth and diet for years.
A strong walleye year-class means more mouths to feed. This changes forage cycles and makes bites short and sharp.
How forage abundance can slow bite rates
Many small perch mean full bellies for walleyes. This slows down bites. Lures and bait face tough competition.
During perch peaks, try smaller lures and bait. Match the hatch size and fish in low light. Knowing year-class strength helps read the walleye–perch relationship.
What does walleye eat
Here’s a clear diet overview anglers can trust. Young walleye eat zooplankton and insect larvae. As they grow, they add small fish and bigger invertebrates to their diet.
Adult walleye mainly eat fish. This is because fish gives them more energy, which is important in low light.
Key prey items are the same in many lakes, but with some changes. They eat yellow perch, minnows, shad, bullheads, and freshwater drum. They also eat darters.
Invertebrates like crayfish, aquatic insects, and worms are part of their diet too. This is true in spring and early summer.
Lake Erie shows how walleye forage species change. Threadfin shad are common there. But in Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes, perch and local minnows are more common.
As they grow, walleye eat bigger prey. They even eat small walleyes when they can.
Walleye feed best when it’s light is low. Dawn, dusk, and night are their favorite times. Clouds, turbidity, or waves can also help them hunt during the day.
| Life Stage | Main Prey Items | Typical Walleye Forage Species | Notes for Anglers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fry | Zooplankton, insect larvae | N/A (micro prey) | Match tiny profiles; think micro jigs in calm water. |
| Juvenile | Minnows, small perch, crayfish | Emerald shiners, fathead minnows | Downsize presentations near weeds and shoreline breaks. |
| Adult | Perch, shad, bullheads, freshwater drum, darters | Threadfin shad, yellow perch, local minnows | Focus on larger, energy-rich targets during low light. |
The walleye food list is a mix of soft-finned baitfish and crunchy crayfish. When food is plentiful, they eat what’s easiest. When it’s scarce, they search wider.
Bait selection tips that match the natural diet
Match what walleyes already hunt, and your odds jump. Think about what they eat first. Then, pick the right color, size, and speed. Use a slow retrieve and aim for near-bottom presentations, because these fish feed low and steady.
Live bait choices: minnows, nightcrawlers, and leeches
Start with live bait minnows when fish key on small perch and shiners. They are often the best bait for walleye in cold fronts or clear water.
Nightcrawlers shine when insects and worms are active. Rig a crawler harness and keep a slow retrieve to let them inhale on the pause.
Leeches excel in warm water and around rocks or weeds. Slip-float or Lindy-style rigs keep them in the strike zone for near-bottom presentations.
Imitating perch, shad, and minnows with lures
Pick perch pattern lures when young yellow perch dominate the menu. Crankbaits from Rapala and Reef Runner track true at slow speeds.
Use shad imitators where threadfin shad or gizzard shad roam. Soft swimbaits, spoons, and minnow plugs mirror the flash and thump.
Compact spinners and jigs in natural tones match minnows. Add a soft-plastic tail or a real minnow to boost scent and profile.
Presentation: near-bottom, slow retrieves for deliberate biters
Hug structure, breaks, and edges with near-bottom presentations. A three-way rig or bottom bouncer keeps baits in the strike lane.
Make a slow retrieve and pause often. Walleyes are deliberate biters, so give them a beat before lifting the rod.
- Dawn, dusk, and at night: work rocky bars, shoals, and weed edges.
- Summer: slide deeper or target suspended fish over basins following bait.
- Ice season: tip-ups with minnows and jigging spoons seal the deal.
- Drift or troll crawler harnesses like Little John spinners and classic Wolf River rigs.
Rivers vs. lakes: differences in forage and feeding behavior
Walleyes quickly adjust to their surroundings. In lakes, they follow wind, structure, and bait. In rivers, they track flow and seams, feeding briefly.
Wind-swept shoals and gravel in lakes vs. current seams in rivers
In big lakes, walleyes move along wind-swept areas. They use reefs and weeds to ambush prey. In rivers, current seams and gravel gather bait, making it easier for fish to eat.
When rivers get more water, walleyes gather near dams and eddies. In calm times, they spread out on sand and channel edges. Both places need precise boat control and accurate casts.
Suspending over deep basins to chase open-water prey
In summer, walleyes suspend over deep water to catch smelt or shad. They stay at the same depth, often far from the bottom. This can be far from shore in lakes.
In rivers and reservoirs, walleyes do the same. Crankbaits and slip-bobbers work best when you match the school’s depth.
Muddy water and daytime feeding activity
Stain changes how fish behave. In cloudy or rainy days, river fish bite longer. In lakes, wind and algae make walleyes more active during the day.
Look for areas where clean water meets dirty. In both, drops, weed edges, and seams are key. Use slower, more assertive presentations to attract fish.
| Environment | Key Holding Areas | Primary Triggers | Forage Focus | Best Tactics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Lakes | Wind-swept shoals, reefs, weed edges, gravel | Wind direction, bait pushes, low light | Perch, shad, smelt; suspending fish over basins | Structure trolling, slip-bobbers on edges, depth-tuned cranks |
| Rivers | Current seams, eddies, gravel runs, inflows | Flow changes, turbidity and feeding windows, shade | Shiners, shad, juvenile perch; concentrated river walleye forage | Jigs in seams, three-way rigs, precise casts along breaks |
| Reservoir/Basin Zones | Suspension layers over channels and deep bowls | Thermocline set-up, bait stacking, light shifts | Open-water schools tracked by suspending fish | Lead-core trolling, crank depth control, sonar-led waypoint passes |
Life stage nutrition: from fry to trophy
Walleye fry need food fast. They start eating zooplankton, like tiny crustaceans, right after hatching. Cold weather can make it hard to find food, so timing is key.
As they grow, their diet changes. They eat more insects and then small fish. This growth is seen in the data from Midwestern lakes.
Adult walleyes eat well. They prefer fish like perch and shad. This food gives them the energy they need to keep growing.
How fast they grow depends on their sex. Males grow faster, reaching maturity in 2–3 years. Females take longer, but they grow bigger. This affects what they eat and where they find food.
How long they live also matters. Most live about seven years. This depends on finding enough food. When food is plentiful, they do well. But when it’s scarce, it’s harder for them to survive.
| Life Stage | Primary Foods | Key Traits | Typical Size Range | Notable Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fry (0–3 weeks) | Zooplankton, microcrustaceans | Yolk absorbed; limited vision; small gape | 0.3–1.0 inches | Walleye fry nutrition relies on timely plankton blooms |
| Early Juvenile (1–3 months) | Insect larvae, small cladocerans | Developing teeth; improving burst speed | 1–3 inches | Juvenile walleye diet shifts with jaw growth |
| Late Juvenile (3–6+ months) | Minnows, young-of-year perch, mayflies | Strong pursuit; better night vision | 3–6 inches by fall | Age-length data show rapid first-year gains |
| Subadult (Year 2–3) | Perch, shiners, shad, crayfish | Territory expands; schooling behavior | 8–14 inches | Growth and maturity start to diverge by sex |
| Adult (Year 3+) | Perch, shad, ciscoes, larger minnows | Energy maximization; selective strikes | 15–28+ inches | Adult walleye energy needs drive fish-heavy diets |
Human and environmental factors influencing what walleyes eat
People play a big role in what walleyes eat. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources stocks millions of fish each year. This affects the food web and how many fish chase after food.
When too many fish are caught, it can hurt the food chain. This makes it hard for walleyes to find enough to eat. But, by managing fish populations and habitats, we can help.
Water quality also matters a lot. Too much runoff can make weeds grow and fill in where fish need to spawn. This makes it hard for fish to find food.
Keeping the water clean helps fish find food easier. This is because clean water means fish can swim where they want to find food.
As fish grow, they can pick up bad stuff from the water. This is why some fish have too much PCBs and mercury. It’s not good for them or us.
Clean water helps keep fish healthy. This means they can grow up without getting sick from bad stuff in the water.
Weather also plays a big part. How warm or cold it is can affect fish eggs and how well they grow. This can change how many fish there are for a long time.
How we fish matters too. Fishing in the right light and taking care of fish helps keep the balance. Letting small fish go helps too.
So, what walleyes eat is influenced by us and the environment. Our choices and the weather can change how often they can eat.
