Lake Erie's dominant predator spends much of its time chasing food in the dark — at night and at depths that obscure most light frequencies. Named for their odd pearlescent eyes, walleye can distinguish colors in various water conditions and see in shades of darkness that blind their prey
Veteran walleye anglers and fishing guides base strategies on the fish's evolutionary visual advantages. But scientific research on the species hasn't kept up with studies of freshwater bass and trout, despite the walleye's natural range stretching from the Arctic to Alabama.
A recent study at Ohio State University explored precisely what walleye can see in various water conditions. Some of the research confirmed details that anglers have long suspected. In clear water, the study found, walleye will strike white lures or almost any color. When the water is clouded by sediment, they are more likely to go for yellow or gold, and in green algae-laden waters, walleye eyes are best at seeing black.
