Walleye prefer large, clear, cool waterbodies with gravel and sandy substrate. They rely heavily on stony shoals for spawning. The female broadcast her eggs, then two or more males release their milt to fertilize the eggs. The eggs are very adhesive, sticking to the rocks and gravel on the shoal. A single female can produce as many as 495,000 eggs.
Incubation is from five days to two weeks.
The young then leave the spawning areas and grow to be about five to six inches by fall. Males reach sexual maturity in two to four years, while females reach sexual maturity in three to five years. Feeding occurs during mainly during the dawn and dusk time periods. Walleye prey primarily on spottail shiners, emerald shiners, and yellow perch. Other important prey species include bluegills, crappie, bullheads, and crayfish.