| In the natural lakes of Indiana, walleye | | | | stocking programs, it may have become highly |
| fishing rates as one of the most popular type | | | | likely that the species completely |
| of catch that anglers target these days, | | | | disappeared from the state. |
| ranking above even salmon, trout, muskies, | | | | |
| and stripers. | | | | With stocking programs at Crooked, Sylvan, |
| | | | and Winona Lakes well into their second |
| In fact, only largemouth bass still seem to | | | | decade, Indiana walleye fishing has |
| outrank the walleye as a favorite in the | | | | experienced a huge boost, and some anglers |
| area. Of course, just a few years ago, | | | | have become fishermen solely of this largest |
| Indiana walleye fishing had almost come to a | | | | member of the perch family. |
| dead halt, ranking so low on the list that it | | | | |
| almost wasn't even considered. | | | | While previous attempts to establish a |
| | | | population included both fingerlings (tiny |
| This is because, while there were places that | | | | walleye just past the egg stage) and fry |
| walleye could be found, they were few and far | | | | (even tinier than fingerlings), new stocking |
| between. However, stocking programs have | | | | ideas have taken over. What was found in the |
| been put into place at several locations that | | | | initial attempts to use these smaller, less |
| are both innovative and aggressive, and the | | | | expensive specimens is that these small fish |
| walleye population has begun to flourish | | | | were being eaten by larger fish at a high |
| throughout the state. | | | | rate, making it impossible for a large enough |
| | | | sample of these tiny fish to grow and breed |
| Perhaps it is the fact that waters in Indiana | | | | significant numbers of walleye. This was an |
| are slightly warmer than those normally | | | | investment that was costing too much |
| preferred by walleyes, which tend to reside | | | | considering the poor results, and some other |
| in the Great Lakes and further north into | | | | idea was needed to boost the population for |
| Canada, where the lakes and rivers remain | | | | Indiana walleye fishing. |
| fairly chilly year round. | | | | |
| | | | Unfortunately, the idea of stocking lakes |
| While walleye grow much more quickly in | | | | with larger walleye specimens was extremely |
| warmer climates, they also have a much | | | | costly and had been ruled out initially. |
| shorter lifespan than in cooler waters where | | | | However, when stocking with larger fish, a |
| they grow more slowly; this could contribute | | | | greater number will survive and reproduce, |
| to smaller and sparser populations. Whatever | | | | saving on the number of fish needed to stock |
| the reason, natural walleye populations in | | | | the lake and reducing the initial cost a bit. |
| Indiana have never faired well, and without | | | | |