How does water clarity influence walleye selection between pelagic fish versus crayfish?
Answer
Clear water favors bottom-dwelling crayfish; stained water favors pelagic baitfish
Water clarity dictates how much the walleye relies on its superior vision. In crystal-clear alpine lakes, visual contrast is maximized near the bottom, leading walleye to feed heavily on structure-oriented prey like crayfish. Conversely, in stained or turbid reservoirs where visibility is low, walleye often suspend higher in the water column, feeding on pelagic baitfish or other active organisms moving through the middle layers, as they are less able to selectively target bottom structure.
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