| In the natural lakes of Indiana, walleye fishing rates | | | | programs, it may have become highly likely that the |
| as one of the most popular type of catch that | | | | species completely disappeared from the state. |
| anglers target these days, ranking above even | | | | With stocking programs at Crooked, Sylvan, and |
| salmon, trout, muskies, and stripers. | | | | Winona Lakes well into their second decade, Indiana |
| In fact, only largemouth bass still seem to outrank | | | | walleye fishing has experienced a huge boost, and |
| the walleye as a favorite in the area. Of course, just | | | | some anglers have become fishermen solely of this |
| a 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 |
| This is because, while there were places that walleye | | | | egg 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 | | | | the initial attempts to use these smaller, less |
| place at several locations that are both innovative | | | | expensive specimens is that these small fish were |
| and aggressive, and the walleye population has begun | | | | being eaten by larger fish at a high rate, making it |
| to flourish throughout the state. | | | | impossible for a large enough sample of these tiny |
| Perhaps it is the fact that waters in Indiana are | | | | fish to grow and breed significant numbers of |
| slightly warmer than those normally preferred by | | | | walleye. This was an investment that was costing |
| walleyes, which tend to reside in the Great Lakes and | | | | too much considering the poor results, and some |
| further north into Canada, where the lakes and rivers | | | | other idea was needed to boost the population for |
| remain fairly chilly year round. | | | | Indiana walleye fishing. |
| While walleye grow much more quickly in warmer | | | | Unfortunately, the idea of stocking lakes with larger |
| climates, they also have a much shorter lifespan than | | | | walleye specimens was extremely costly and had |
| in cooler waters where they grow more slowly; this | | | | been ruled out initially. However, when stocking with |
| could contribute to smaller and sparser populations. | | | | larger fish, a greater number will survive and |
| Whatever the reason, natural walleye populations in | | | | reproduce, saving on the number of fish needed to |
| Indiana have never faired well, and without stocking | | | | stock the lake and reducing the initial cost a bit. |