Interactions

Walleye eat all types of fish that they can fit in their mouth and swallow. They eat mostly minnows and easy prey. They will even eat mice and small ducks. They will even eat each other if the opportunity arises. Although walleye are dangerous predators, they too can become a meal.

Walleye can become prey to many other fish that occupy the same habitat. They can become a meal for such species as muskellunge, northern pike, and large bass. Any fish that is bigger than that of its prey will try to make it its meal. Walleye do not just have to watch out for other species of fish, but also for otters, eagles and ospreys. The number one predator of the walleye though is man.

Walleye can not only be eaten but also parasitized upon. The parasites can include protozoans, trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, acanthocephalans, leeches, molluscs and crustaceans. They can also be infected with a nasty tapeworm called Diphyllobothrium latum. Another parasite that infect any fish is Black Spot Disease, Uvulifer ambloplitis. This parasite does exactly what its name entails. Black spots develop throughout the fish (larval stage of parasite) and mature in fish-eating birds. These parasites are not deadly to man if the fish is properly cooked. While you are learning about walleye, why don't you learn some walleye facts to impress you friends.