A walleye is a freshwater fish prized by anglers across North America, especially in the northern United States and Canada. It gets its name from its distinctive large, glassy eyes that seem to gaze outward, almost like a wall-eyed person whose eyes don't focus in the same direction. These peculiar eyes contain a reflective layer that helps the walleye see in murky water and low light, giving it a major advantage when hunting smaller fish at dawn, dusk, or in cloudy conditions.

Walleyes can grow quite large, sometimes reaching 30 inches and weighing over 10 pounds. Anglers pursue them eagerly because walleye meat is delicious: mild, flaky, and white. Lakes throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Canada hold huge walleye populations, and fishing tournaments devoted entirely to catching walleyes draw thousands of competitors.