Walleye are a prized fish across much of the country for one big reason, they are arguably the best-eating freshwater fish there is, and they carry a devoted following. In New England they are a more localized target, but the Connecticut River and a handful of lakes hold them, and they are worth learning to catch.
How to identify them
Walleye are long and olive-gold with a white-tipped lower tail lobe and a large, glassy, reflective eye (the name says it all) adapted for low-light feeding. A spiny front dorsal and prominent canine teeth complete the look. They are members of the perch family, related to yellow perch.
Where and when
In Massachusetts, the Connecticut River is the stronghold, along with some lakes and impoundments. That big reflective eye means walleye feed best in low light, dawn, dusk, night, and in stained water or cold conditions, holding near current, structure and drop-offs.
Tip Fish walleye when the light is low. Their light-gathering eyes give them the edge at dawn, dusk and after dark, so that is when they feed most confidently, especially in clear water.
How to catch them
Walleye eat small fish and respond to jigs (often tipped with a minnow or plastic), crankbaits, and live shiners worked slow near the bottom and along current edges. A slow, low-light presentation near structure is the key.