The walleye are fast growing fish, typically growing over 3 inches in the first year. The large pools or reservoirs of the Columbia River seem to provide much of the habitat qualities that walleye prefer. The large slow moving pools behind the many dams warm significantly in the summer and provide ample shallow shore-line habitat with rocky or gravel substrate in which to spawn. Commercial fisheries do exist for walleye in the midwest, however none exist in the Columbia River system. A small number of walleye are harvested incidentally from the Columbia River while fishing for other species.
Most economic value is from recreational or sport fishermen.
The walleye is regarded as one of the best tasting white-meated freshwater fish available. Fisheries exist throughout the Pacific Northwest where walleye are present and support many sport fishing opportunities and local fishing derbies. In the last 10 years the Columbia River has seen a major increase in walleye populations as well as fishing pressure.