HARRISBURG, Pa. (May 3) – All signs point to a successful season ahead as walleye fishing kicks off across Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 4.
"Walleye are a popular catch for anglers seeking fish that can grow to significant size and make great table fare," said Kris Kuhn, Chief of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's (PFBC) Division of Fisheries Management. "This season is a welcome sign of spring, especially on the many larger lakes where walleye populations are plentiful."
Walleye fishing is regulated under Commonwealth Inland Waters regulations, with a minimum harvest size of 15-inches and a daily creel limit of six fish. Walleye fishing opportunities exist across the Commonwealth from the Allegheny, Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers to Lake Erie, Pymatuning Reservoir, Blue Marsh Lake, Raystown Lake and Lake Wallenpaupack and many other locations.
2019 Lake Erie creel limits announced last month also allow for the legal harvest of six walleye per day. Lake Erie anglers experienced record walleye harvest rates in 2018, and recent surveys revealed that strong numbers of legal-sized fish in the 4-year age class continue to make up roughly half of the lake's walleye population, which should account for much of this year's harvest.
While Walleye can reproduce naturally in many of Pennsylvania's large river systems and some lake locations, the thriving fishery relies heavily on stocking. Annually, the PFBC collects approximately 90 million eggs from walleye brood stock caught in Pymatuning Reservoir in Crawford County, as well as Duck Harbor Pond in Wayne County, and Lake Wallenpaupack in Pike and Wayne Counties. About two million fish are raised to fingerling size before being stocked, while the remainder are stocked as fry.
Anglers seeking walleye this season can find a list of Pennsylvania's Best Fishing Waters based on biologist population survey data, and walleye fishing tips at www.fishandboat.com.
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Media Contact:
Mike Parker
Communications Director
(717)705-7806
michparker@pa.gov