Walleye in Wisconsin: An investigation of fishing and community

Climate change threatens this crucial part of Wisconsin culture.

Just underneath the surface of Lake Mendota lies one of the true hallmarks of Wisconsin culture: walleye. 

Walleye are a freshwater fish prevalent in Midwestern rivers and lakes. In 2019, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources estimated that 21,302 adult walleye were present in Lake Mendota — around 2.2 fish per acre. 

Named for their opaque “glassy” eye which helps them see in low-light conditions and sporting a spiny dorsal fin and sharp teeth, walleye have become a key player in Wisconsin society. 

In ecological terms, a community is a group of species in a particular location that interact and coexist with one another. While many neglect to recognize humans as part of the local ecological community, their actions heavily affect the health of the ecosystem and the health of the ecosystem affects human social behavior...

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