Northern Fishing

King salmon is both the largest and least abundant of the salmon family. It is found in the northern fishing waters of the Pacific Ocean and rarely, the Arctic Ocean as well as the Bering Sea, the Okhotsk Sea, the Sea of Japan, and most of the rivers that flow into these waters; from Hokkaido in northern Japan to the Anadyr River in the former U.S.S.R., and from the Ventura River in southern California to Point Hope, Alaska. It has been introduced into other waters around the world including the Great Lakes, Atlantic and Gulf states of the U.S., some areas of Central and South America, Europe, and the South Pacific. These transplanted populations apparently failed due to an inability to maintain spawning levels, with the exceptions of South Island in New Zealand, and to some degree in the Great Lakes. In Chile, more recent transplants have shown hope of becoming established with some chinook returning to spawn.

At sea, the king salmon is basically a silvery fish with spotting on the back, upper sides, top of head, and all the fins, including the tail fin. Spawning chinooks are olive brown to purplish or even red and undergo a radical metamorphosis, especially the males which develop a large kype. One way to distinguish the chinook from other species is by its black mouth and gums. The similar looking coho, has a black mouth, but white gums, except in the Great Lakes population where the gums may be gray or black.

This is my new northern fishing blog. Each time I post I will cover a diferent nothern fishing species. In case you have never been fishing before and it’s your first time, many of your knowledgeable fishing friends will probably advocate to go northern fishing for Walleye. It is found in the northern fishing areas of the northern United States and Canada. It is a very well-liked fish, and also the state fish of Minnesota, is also an achievement to catch it. Once you are able to get one its worth all the effort. Here are some fascinating things you might want to know about the walleye.

Getting to know the Walleye

The other names given to the Walleye, or Sander Vitreus, are Walleyed pike, yellow Walleye, Pickerel or yellow Pike even it is no relative of Pikes or Pickerels. This fish with numerous names is a native of Canada, even though it also found in many northern fishing areas of the United States. You can say it is the North American cousin of Europe’s Pike Perch.What do Walleye look like?Walleye is a sleek looking beautiful fish that grows to about 30 to 36 inches in length. There looks is more or less like the Perch. They are said to have a weight of almost 10 to 15 lbs. or 5 to 7 kgs, there may be some who are heavier. For example, if you catch a Walleye in the state of Montana, it can weigh more than 16 lbs. and can be around 36 inches in length. They have a huge mouth which is packed with sharp teeth.The color of Walleye is a mixture of gold and olive and the middle part is generally olive, and the color slowly turns golden at the flanks. The bottom of the fish is white, with dark saddle on the upper side.For this fish the female Walleye is more likely to be bigger compared to males. The growing speed depends on the area and the food they get. For instance Walleye found in southern regions are inclined to grow larger and faster than others.Walleye are able to live for 10 years or even more. In fact, believe it or not, the longest living Walleye recorded lived to be 29. This can only be possible in regions where the fish population is untouched. Though, in places where there is a lot of fishing the fishes don’t survive for more than 4 or 5 years.

Why is this fish named Walleye?

There is a reason for the fish being named Walleye; underneath its eye surface there is a layer that collects light and its eyes reflect this light. As a result the fish is able to see even in areas where there is very little light. This also explains the reason that why Walleye can stay in deep water. This has been noticed by many anglers who typically fish for Walleye during dusk or at night, and this is the time for feeding also.Walleye also have the capability to see well in rough or breaking water in northern fishing grounds, and it goes to catch the prey. Due to this reason many fish catchers go into the rough water.