Jamestown angler catches rare golden walleye in eastern North Dakota

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (KFYR) – A Jamestown angler said he landed the ‘fish of a lifetime’ on 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.