Male/Female Walleyes

  • Mark Steffes
    Farmington, MN
    Posts: 1376
    #1240521

    How do you tell the difference between a Male or Female Eye? I had this discussion witha fellow IDA member on Friday. When you catch a big one that is pretty easy, but if you catch a 16″-22″, how do you tell or can you?

    steve-fellegy
    Resides on the North Shores of Mille Lacs--guiding on Farm Island these days
    Posts: 1294
    #566237

    You can’t tell…looking from the outside. Except when they are in the middle or around the spawn time.

    mbenson
    Minocqua, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3842
    #566265

    Mark:

    Gotta agree with Steve!!! After looking at the vent of the muskie, I decided with my limited biology experience to ask the local biologist. I figured that if they could tell on a muskie, why not a walleye. I was told that even the biologists couldn’t tell unless the fish was milking or dropping eggs. By size, they apparently figure that in most cases fish larger than 17″ most generally are female. That’s what I know.

    Mark

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    #566300

    I asked the DNR at the sportshow and they said the same thing…

    walleyewacker18
    Rice Lake, WI
    Posts: 620
    #566320

    I work for the DNR as a Fisheries technician in the summer as I am working towards my degree in Fisheries and Biology. Like said above there is no way to tell the difference. Only time you can is when they are spawning or full of eggs or the males are milking

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    #566399

    WW18,

    How long does a male walleye generally live? How large do they get?

    dave-barber
    St Francis, MN
    Posts: 2100
    #566459

    Quote:


    How do you tell the difference between a Male or Female Eye?


    Lift up their skirts and take a peek?

    catmando
    wis
    Posts: 1811
    #566515

    Back in the 80’s caught a 28 incher about 7 pounds and blind in one eye {male} it tasted like mud.

    Mark Steffes
    Farmington, MN
    Posts: 1376
    #566555

    Quote:


    Back in the 80’s caught a 28 incher about 7 pounds and blind in one eye {male} it tasted like mud.


    Are you sure that was a Walleye & not a Catfish.

    Fife
    Ramsey, MN
    Posts: 4054
    #566716

    The picture in my avatar is a tagged 25″ male I pulled out of Mille Lacs last year.

    DaveB
    Inver Grove Heights MN
    Posts: 4497
    #566987

    Throw them in the live well. If there are males and females mixed together, the females will be the ones shouting and complaining about something. The males will be cowering in the corner.

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