Last Updated on September 8, 2024 by Sara Rose
Do you want to know how big do walleyes get? You’ve come to the perfect place to find out!
Walleyes are a very popular sport fish around North America. One reason is that they are still in abundance, which means they are easy to catch.
They also make a great meal high in protein and other important nutrients. Walleyes can get very big! This means you get a lot of bang for your buck. If you catch a big one, you can have food for a few days.
Some people have become interested in raising walleyes in their aquaponics system. Whenever you decide to raise a particular fish, you need to know about its characteristics. Doing proper research beforehand will save you from facing a serious issue in the future.
One thing you should always know is how big do walleyes get? This will help you set up your fish tank properly. Understanding the growth pattern of walleyes is important because you do not want your tank to be overcrowded.
Overcrowding results in a number of problems which can eventually lead to the death of your fish. It is important to plan for the biggest size that your fish can get to avoid any problems.
Keep reading this article to understand key facts about walleyes. We will especially answer the important question: how big do walleyes get?
By the end, you should be ready to raise walleyes with confidence!
Table of Contents
Walleye Growing Characteristics
As with all fish, the actual growth rate is affected by a few factors. One of them is the gender of the fish. With walleyes, males and females have different developmental periods and lifespans.
Female walleyes tend to live much longer than males! A male walleye typically can live between 15-20 years. Whereas a female usually makes it up to 25 years old.
When walleyes reach their older years, their growth slows down significantly. Usually, they grow 5-8 inches in the first two years of their life. At age three, walleyes are considered fully mature.
However, they continue to grow after that. But the growth is a little slower. From age three on, they can grow around 2-3 inches per year.
As with any living thing, the growth rate is affected by its living conditions. Walleyes in healthier conditions and access to the highest quality food will grow faster. Diet will play a huge role in their development.
Walleyes are carnivores, meaning they only eat other animals or insects. In nature, they love to eat any kind of small insect and also smaller fish. So if you want to raise walleyes in a fish tank, you will need to be sure to provide enough insects and small fish for them.
Some good food options are crayfish, minnows, worms, yellow perch, or mayflies. These types of food should be available at any pet store. Remember, if they are not getting proper nutrition, they will not grow as fast or be as healthy.
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Can I Raise Walleyes In A Pond?
Since walleyes are quite big fish, it is a better idea to raise them in a pond. If you raise them in a fish tank, you will not be able to have that many. Remember, at their maximum size, walleyes are between 6-8 pounds and around 26 inches long.
Even in a 100-gallon tank, you wouldn’t be able to raise more than 5 of these big fish! This is why it is more suitable to raise them in a small pond. You can stock it with a lot more fish.
According to the USDA Natural Conservation Service, “Research has shown that stocking walleye in natural lakes and streams is more successful with fingerlings 2 to 3 inches in length instead of fry. Starting that way will increase the chances of success.
Many farmers choose to raise walleyes in a pond. A lot of these ponds are very large. In fact, they often can be between 1-5 acres in size!
However, if you just want a personal pond for a small system, you do not need to make it as big. It is important to consider the depth of your pond, however. Try to keep your pond between 7-10 feet deep.
This is especially true if you want to raise large amounts of walleyes. Keep in mind that walleyes are nocturnal fish, so they will be sleeping during the day and active at night.
You will need to adjust your feeding schedule accordingly.
If you raise the correctly your walleyes will be reaching 14 inches long by year 5. Hopefully, now you understand how big do walleyes get. They can be very large fish if raised in a good environment.
Starting a walleye pond can be very rewarding. You can also use the water to fertilize your plants and have a closed-looped system.
Why not give it a try? Feel free to comment and ask questions below!
Read more about: How To Raise Bluegill?
FAQs
Can you fish farm walleye?
Yes, you can farm walleye fish. In fact, it is a very commonly raised fish for farming. Large scale farms will build ponds that are between 1-5 acres in size and 10 feet deep! However, you do not need to build one this size if you want something smaller scale.
Are walleye good for ponds?
Walleyes are a great addition to a pond. First off, they love to swim around with a lot of space. This makes a pond much more suitable for them than a fish tank. Second off, they play a crucial role in any water ecosystem. By introducing walleye into your pond, you can keep insects and other small creatures in check because they will eat them.
How long does it take for a walleye to get full grown?
A walleye will keep growing until the end of their life. However, their growth slows down after year 3. This is when they are considered to reach maturity. It may take females until year 4-5 to reach full maturity.
How deep should a walleye pond be?
A walleye pond should be around 10 feet deep. You want to be sure to allow for adequate space for the walleye to swim around and grow to their full potential.
