Overview

The walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) is a high-value game and food fish in the northeastern and north central United States. The walleye is a species of large perch; the commonly used names “walleye pike” or “walleyed pike” are misleading. Driven by a decreasing commercial catch and strong market demand, there is a strong interest in using this species to develop aquaculture-produced marketable fish.

Commercial Fishing
Little or no commercial walleye fishing exists in the United States. Most commercial fishing on America’s larger lakes and rivers has been prohibited for decades to protect sport fisheries. The exception to this rule are the Native American tribal fisheries in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan that allow a tribal spring spearing and netting harvest as established by treaty regulation. These fish are used by the tribes and not legally sold onto the open market.

Most U.S. restaurant and market fish come from commercially fished U.S. wild populations in Lake Erie and Canadian sources that include Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods, Eagle Lake, Lake Nippigon and similar large lakes.  February 2008 . . . Walleye

Other Links

• Aquaculture, ERS, USDA.
• Aquaculture, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute - Overview of various programs and initiatives of the Great Lakes Sea Grant Program. Sea Grant researchers are studying several fish species suitable for aquaculture in the Midwest, including walleye, sturgeon, hybrid striped bass, sunfish, bait fish, yellow perch, tilapia, bluegill, crappie, bullhead, crayfish and a variety of salmonids. A variety of techniques are being examined, including pond culture, cage culture and indoor contained systems. The Great Lakes Sea Grant Network also has developed a regional resource list of aquaculture publications and audiovisuals for current and potential aquaculturists. 
• Aquaculture Certification Council - A nongovernmental body established to certify social, environmental and food safety standards at aquaculture facilities throughout the world. This Missouri nonprofit, nonmember public benefit corporation builds on elements of the voluntary Global Aquaculture Alliance Responsible Aquaculture Program system that combines site inspections and effluent sampling with sanitary controls, therapeutic controls and product traceability.
• Aquaculture (Domestic Production and International Trade Information), FSAonline, USDA.
• Aquaculture in Hawaii, State Aquaculture Development Program, State Department of Agriculture - Hawaii Aquaculture web page, an information source and guide to getting started in aquaculture in Hawaii.
• Aquaculture Network Information Center (AquaNIC) - Provides a gateway to the world's electronic aquaculture resources.
• Aquaculture Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Fisheries market news and statistic summaries (aquaculture results by catch, available grants, new marine product food safety guidelines, endangered natural stocks, export guidelines for shipments to the European Union, links and addresses of many National Marine Fisheries Support Offices, and other information. Site includes information on Department of Commerce Aquaculture Policy, the National Aquaculture Act of 1980, recent NOAA Aquaculture Policy and breaking research and legislative news. 
• Aquatic Network - Aquaculture topics, educational information, publications and products and services listing.
• Census of Aquaculture (2005), USDA, 2006.
• FishLink.com - An Internet information and resource for aquaculture and fisheries. Contains directories, news, statistics and other related information.
• Mariculture, Alaska Department of Fish and Game - Alaska state mariculture site includes razor clam restoration information, permit information, overviews of state production and related information.
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Trade and Commercial Services - Contains leads, current and historical trade statistics, import requirements, news and regulatory information. This mission of the Trade and Commercial Service staff is to promote and facilitate trade for the U.S. seafood and aquaculture industries by expanding existing markets and opening new ones for the U.S. producers and processors.
• Permaculture Bibliography: Aquaculture - Huge bibliography of written resources and links from Crescent Meadow Systems, a permaculture reference site.
• Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture, Pond Dynamics/Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program (PD/A CRSP) - Represents an international, multi-disciplinary effort to improve human nutrition through pond aquaculture research. The work of the PD/A CRSP benefits both domestic and international aquaculture.
• World Aquaculture Society - International society of aquaculturalists working to improve education and communication within the industry.