Missouri Department of Conservation

Walleye Identification

• Photos
• Video

Walleye

Walleye

Video of walleye in the wild.

The walleye’s unique characteristics (shape, eye, fins and teeth) makes it fairly easy to identify.

Walleye

Average Size of Adults:

Commonly 12 to 28 inches and 0.5 to 8 pounds. Largest individuals may achieve 20-22 pounds in Missouri and some other states.

Identifying Characteristics:

• Slender bodied with two separate dorsal fins, large mouth and numerous teeth
• Back and sides olive brown to nearly black
• Belly and lower tip of tail fin are white.
• Distinguished from its close relative, the sauger by larger streaks (versus spots) on the first dorsal fin and a dark blotch near the base of the last few dorsal spines; lack of scales on the cheek; and a pronounced white blotch on the lower lobe of the tail fin.

Sauger

The sauger is similar to the walleye and is managed under the same regulations. They have a similar body shape and teeth and inhabit larger rivers.

Examine dorsal and tail fins to tell the difference between walleye and sauger

Spiny dorsal fin

• On the spiny dorsal fin, walleye will have a single dark blotch at the base of the last few spines.
• On the entire spiny dorsal fin, sauger have many small dark spots. However, there is no single dark blotch at the base of the last few spines.

Caudal/tail fin

• Walleye have a white patch along the lower tip.
• Sauger have no white patch along the lower tip.