What do they need?

[Quill]

I live on Banks lake in Washington State. This lakes only fresh water is when the Grand Coulee Dam pumps water in. Which is not consistant. My question is do walleye need some form of fresh or running water, such as river, creek, ect, to spawn? I was told by a fisheries biologist that all these fish are planted and they can't spawn because of the above question. I find this hard to believe, because today I caught a fat female, which had eggs, so it looked, and a small male that was oozing his stuff. I would think the fish could still make it happen.

[Brushpile]

Wind and wave action are enough to oxygenate walleye eggs.

[Hawgeye]

One of the problems is the egg environment. Eggs need to be in a clean spot with current to properly be fertilized. Typically rocky areas. Almost every body of water that has some rock and stone can possibly support natural reproduction, it is just so minimal in some bodies of water that it could not support the existence without stocking.

[Quill]

These fish I caught where in a rocky bottom area at thirty feet. What does that mean.

[fishy1]

what was the water temp when you caught the fat female and the leaky male my guess is pre spawn thirty foot of water probably right after a cold front they were looking for warm water
from what ive read walleye spawn in water temps from 43 48 some will go later and some earlier but most will look for some current there is an article on walleye spawning behavier on fishtheriver.com been a while since ive read it but very informativestart chasing links and walleye on the web youll find more info than you can absorb

[Walleye Express]

Quill.
The spawning like state the fishies bodies were in has little to do with rather that lake has or will support a successful spawn. Unless all the fish were rendered sterile before planting, their bodies will develope both eggs and milt during the appropriate time of year. They will then search out the best available invironment they cand find in their confined area, rather it be viable for production or not and do their thing there. Capt: Dan.

[WAeyes]

I agree with Walleye Express. They will spawn regardless of how successful it will be.

My guess is that they will spawn near this inlet of pumped water.

1. It is a good bet that is where they were hatched and I believe their instincts return them to their place of origin.

2. It does have an adequate current at times for oxygen and also contains a nice rocky bottom.

3. I have caught them at this inlet during the spawn so I know they do use it.

Moses Lake has been proven to be the best natural reproducing water in the state. It is a shame that I could go down there on any given night and watch someone snag one and illegally keep it. Just about makes me sick!