View Full Version : Walleye with Bulging Eyes
Jim Tunney
08-23-2005, 04:07 AM
Within the last two weeks I have caught several walleye's with their eyes bulging out about 3/8" to 1/2". I know pressure causes the fish to swell but some fish have it and some don't and it is only the last couple of weeks. So this confuses me. If I fizz the fish the belly contracts quite a bit but not the eyes.
Just interested in any opinion as there must be a reason.
They are coming out of 60' of water and above.
Capt. Jim Tunney
"Looney Tunes"
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Jim
A few of ours did that as well. I've got to think that those were deeper fish coming up for our lures, and that additional 10 -15' caused the problem. I didn't try to push the eye ball back in, but I'd guess you'd have to if you wanted to release the fish. Pretty extereme depth to deal with, especially for larger fish.
Jimmy Jig
08-23-2005, 10:16 AM
You just as will eat them, most are going to die.
I'm sure you are right, and we did and/or are eating them.
Gilligan
08-23-2005, 03:59 PM
Jim...
I suspect those walleye had normal eyes until in sight of the Looney Tunes rig with the King of the Lake aboard! That would cause any healthy walleye's eyes to bulge!
It was good seeing you again, we need to get a fishing trip worked out. Maybe a trip to Chautauqua for some jigging before ice up?
Jim Tunney
08-23-2005, 08:19 PM
I think a trip to Chautauqua would be in order. You might not know I was invited to the KAWA championship. So was everybody. I could use some lessons.
Capt. Jim Tunney
"Looney Tunes"
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skipnskul
08-24-2005, 06:51 AM
Maybe those walleye were just as surprised to see a human as we have been to see a walleye this year !!!
The ones that I caught with the bulging eyes also had a red tie on and kept saying about getting no respect.....LOL!
But seriously, did some of the ones caught also have the air bladder coming out their mouths? I even had a few perch get hooked and had the air bladder coming out through their gills.
It was nice fishing with/against you at the MWC tourney.
Walteye
Boat 38
MSUICEMANul
08-24-2005, 10:28 AM
might be this extreme warm weather has gotten em stressed out and they got an infection. bulging eyes is a pretty common thing in aquaria when the fish gets an infection and this causes pressure to build up in the head.
just an idea, as i've caught some fish that had this happen.
Steve
Deep Thoughts
08-24-2005, 10:47 AM
Were they foul hooked in the anal vent?
That would do it. :)
RDJ unlogged
08-24-2005, 11:38 AM
Typical deep fish look, we see it all the time on some of the deeper reservoirs we fish out west here. One in particular in WA state tends to have a deep bite year round (usually start looking in 50' and can wind up in 60'-70'). Pretty common for fish to have "Marty Feldman" eyes if brought up fast. Seems like a slow steady retrieve helps the "eye" problem but the air bladders will be tight no matter what. Fizzing will take care of that and will keep them alive all day until weigh in or until it's time to hit the cleaning station.