Which baitfish are often targeted by large adult walleye for caloric return?
Answer
Shiners, shad, perch fry, or ciscoes
For truly large adult walleye, their diet solidifies around larger prey items because they require a substantial caloric return for the energy expended during active predation. Depending on the specific body of water they inhabit, this often translates to a heavy reliance on specific baitfish such as shiners, shad, perch fry, or ciscoes. This focus on energy-dense meals is necessary for maintenance; for example, a six-pound walleye requires significantly less consumption of small insect larvae compared to a much smaller one-pound specimen.
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