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