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