What can walleyes hear?

[Jack Crevalle]

My extremely capable fishing partner and I are trying to sort something out. The question is this: Can fish hear shouting or talking when you are fishing the shallows? Will the noise spook them? One line of thinking is that they can only hear things like clunking in the boat. Another line of thinking is that if a person can hear noise from above while underwater, it's likely that a fish can too.

Opinions and feedback are much appreciated. It'd be nice to have this resolved. If anyone knows of a study - that would be helpful too. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[Kolby]

I think fish can pick up the vibration of humans talking or shouting, but I don't think the association has been linked to immediate danger. I think arm waving and quick movements of the like, will spook shallow fish more, since birds have been swooping down to catch fish since they swam. It's just a guess though.

[Wall@y@]

Fish can't hear anything they can only see, feel and taste. Water transfers vibrations very, very well. The fish feels these vibrations through their latral line that is down the lenght of both sides of their bodies. They feel the vibration of props, boat noise, pinging of depth locators, rattle lures etc. In clear water their sight is generally good and can see movement above water in the shallows. I have caught walleye right under the boat in 4-6 feet of water while fishing a mud line off a point where the wave action sturs up the mud and the water was very muddy. I would not have attempted to put the boat in that shallow if the water had been clear. The fish would have spooked. Some fishermen I have abserved have made the mistake of wanting to get right on top of shallow fish. Bad mistake.

[Miss Adventure Guest]

Watched many fish, walleye, pike, rainbow trout, salmon, whitefish, brown trout, perch....from inside a fish shanty on the ice. Talking has never spooked them but any bumping, scraping noise will. Just moveing your feet sometime can send them off.

Miss Adventure II

[Muscovy Point]

Everything in fishing situtational.While the human voice may alert some walleyes a preditor is near,some may think an easy meal is near.I family throwing bread on the water to the ducks will also attract carp,catfish and baitfish.We all know what baitfish attract.While you're trying to "sort it out" I bet you're partner isn't.

[Jack Crevalle]

If there is a chance that walleye can hear noises from above the surface - why risk spooking them? Especially on tournament day? On a glass calm day w/o a gazzillion boats overhead and wind/waves - why not try to be quiet? Bigger fish are known to be especially spooky.
I saw an example recently where the fish were biting well and then disappeared. Was it the noise or did they just blow town? Maybe the sun got to high?

The point would be this - on a glass calm day in less than 3' of water - why not try to be quiet?

(Is it true some Jeblonyks are mostly bone between the ears?)

[MP]

Is it true that a Jack Crevalle is a species of bullhead?There is no black or white answer.Buck Perry used to beat on the side of his boat.You care to argue with him? The sun got high,there was no wind,we took the hen.I'm sure a #7 fish thrashing around for an eternety in 3 fow caused a bigger distribance then my voice.So does the livewell pump and your knees knocking as you were shaking like a dog passing prune pits! But,you can be right if it's that important to you.Please don't throw youtself on the floor of the boat and pound your fists and kick,Jack!

[mowallytrkr]

Not sure what I am getting into about Jack and such, but on a producer hole the noise (of any kind) does make the fish seem to move. If you happen to knock something over in the boat or zig when you should have zagged and bang something, especially in an aluminum boat. be ready to move because the eyes probably will too. mO