Golden walleye

[tikkalover]

Jamestown angler catches rare golden walleye in eastern North Dakota​

A Jamestown angler says he landed the “fish of a lifetime” Friday after reeling in a rare golden walleye.

Ethan Bear caught the 27-inch golden walleye Friday afternoon following about six hours of fishing at a lake in eastern North Dakota. Bear declined to reveal the lake’s location, citing concern for protecting the fishery.

Bear said he caught the fish in about 20 feet of water using a Northland jig tipped with a worm.

Golden walleyes are not a separate species. Their distinctive yellow-gold coloring is believed to be caused by a rare genetic pigment mutation, making catches uncommon.

 

[wslayer]

Wow, good for him

 

[Sum1]

Looks fake.

 

[Jiffy]

Did they check it for lead weights?

 

[tikkalover]

He actually released it after pictures were taken. (Good on him)

I know you can get a replica made, but if I caught something like that, it would have went to the taxidermist.

 

[MSA]

Might pass those xanthic genes on and possibly see more of those in that lake. Xanthism is a color mutation like albinism that causes increased yellow or orange pigment.

 

[Eatsleeptrap]

Huh...must have been a Koi in the woodpile...

 

[MSA]

Here's some other examples of xanthic fish