maybe the best freshwater eating fish there is
Fishing for them is a passion there, and as a fisherman other than their eating quality, I dont understand it.
They put up all the fight of an old boot. Yet on the opening day of fishing season, lots and lots of Minnesotans can be found out in bad weather slowing drowning worms hoping for one.
For those that don't know, I'm from MN and have been hanging out on your board for the last couple days in preperation for the game.
Walleye/Northern Pike/Crappie/Bass are all very sought after game fish in Mn. Walleye being # 1 by far. The reason is because they are 'usually' the biggest challenge to catch and the best eating by most standards. I like them all equally.
Walleye is a very finicky fish where you have to try multiple presentations to catch one. I.e. You could be fishing with a shiner minnow and a gold spinner and not have a bite. Switch to a fathead minnow w/ same gold spinner and you might start hammering them. Or one day a turquoise green lure and a leach will catch them but a lime green lure and a leach won't. It's the challenge. We fish them in boats and through the ice in the winter.
Back to the tailgating food question though. If your tailgating, I'm assuming your using grills. Wrap your walleye fillets in tin foil and add LOTS of butter and grill it. It's done when you can easily flake the fillet apart with a fork. Then grill 'hobo potatos' along with it. Cut up potatos into about 3/4" cubes. Cut up onion to add to your potatos and season with your favorite spices. Or just salt and pepper works. Add butter, wrap well in tin foil (so butter doesn't run out) and throw it on the grill. Start the taters before the fish though because the fish gets done much quicker.
Dats gud stuff der yah ya bet der den.
*edit* Don't forget to flip the tin foil packs or the food will burn and stick to the side the heat is on. Wrap well to keep butter contained.