Ohio is reeling in an official state fish, the walleye.

During a marathon session on June 26 before legislators break for the summer, the Ohio House approved H.B. 599, naming the walleye Ohio’s state fish, by a vote of 94-2. Ohio is one of only three states, along with Indiana and Iowa, without a state fish.

Here’s what you should know about the walleye.

What is a walleye?

The walleye is a large predatory fish — the largest among the 250 species in its biological family, Percidae — with many sharp teeth in its mouth. Walleye are usually 14 to 22 inches and 2 to 4 pounds in size, but they can grow to 36 inches at 16 pounds, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Walleye abundant in Lake Erie, can also be found in the Ohio River

According to the ODNR, walleye are abundant in Lake Erie, and can also be found in the Great Lake’s tributaries, up to the first dam. Walleye can also be found in the Ohio River, but they are outnumbered by the sauger. Walleye grow more plentiful farther upstream, towards Pittsburgh. The fish are also stocked in many Ohio reservoirs.

What is the walleye’s economic impact on Ohio?

The walleye “generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact for the Buckeye State each year,” said State Rep. Sean P. Brennan (D-Parma), the bill’s co-sponsor. Multiple big-money walleye tournaments bring “more anglers to Ohio from across the country and world than any other fish.”

Nearly half of Ohio’s 1 million anglers fish for walleye, Brennan said.

Big-money walleye tournaments attract cheaters

The money in walleye tournaments is so good, it attracts cheaters. Two men after a $29,000 prize in 2022 were caught using weights and prepared meat to make their walleye catch heavier during a Cleveland tournament. The pair pleaded guilty to felony cheating charges and were sentenced in May 2023 to 10 days in jail and one and a half years of community control. They also were fined $2,500 each and had their fishing licenses suspended for three years, the maximum allowed.

In October 2023, one of those men was accused of poaching in Pennsylvania. He was charged with three counts of taking or possessing game or wildlife, two counts of killing or taking big game outside of the hunting season, two counts of unlawful acts concerning licenses and one count of failing to report or tag big game, according to Mercer County, Pa., court documents.

It’s unclear how the Pennsylvania case was resolved.

The walleye adopted as a mascot in Ohio

The National Wildlife Federation has considered the walleye the unofficial fish of Ohio for years, Rep. Brennan said.

And Lake Erie communities have adopted the fish as a mascot. Toledo is home to the Walleye hockey team. And the City of Port Clinton has a few walleye-related events, including the annual Walleye Festival and New Year’s Walleye Drop.

Fishing for walleye? Try these recipes

If you’re looking for a new way to prepare your catch, or are new to fishing for walleye and want some ideas, recipes abound online. The fish can be cooked in a variety of ways, from pan-fried to grilled or baked, as well as Caribbean style, Italian style and Cajun style, among many, many others.

Ohio fishing hotspots: ODNR recommends these lakes for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskellunge

What’s next for the Ohio state fish bill?

The bill still needs to work its way through the Ohio Senate and be signed by Gov. Mike DeWine before it becomes official. It’s unclear when the Senate might take it up.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ohio to net the walleye as official state fish. Here’s what to know