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Oven-Baked Walleye Recipe

This delicious oven-baked walleye recipe is freshly caught and so healthy.  In less than 45 minutes, this easy baked walleye recipe is ready to serve.  

With only 4 ingredients, Lake Michigan Walleye never tasted so good!! When cooked, fresh walleye fillets are super tender and bright white in color. There are many ways to cook walleye fish, but the healthiest way is to oven bake it.  

Oven-Baked Walleye Recipe with steamed cauliflower and a side salad.
Oven-Baked Walleye Recipe

Want to add a little something special to the walleye dish? Make this spicy tuna tartare and add to the top!!

If you liked this walleye recipe then you might like this Salt and Pepper Squid!!

How to Make Oven Baked Walleye – Video

Learn how to make my oven baked walleye with step by step video instructions. Preparing walleye with this cooking method is so easy and very healthy.

Lake Michigan Fishing Charters

Lake Michigan Fishing Charters is a very popular outdoor sporting activity in Manistee, Michigan. If you want to go fishing on Lake Michigan, then you must contact Captain Jeff Bajtka of Brown Bear Charters.  

Brown Bear Sport Fishing Charter Captain Jeff Bajtka with a salmon.
Brown Bear Sport Fishing Charter Captain Jeff Bajtka with a salmon.

He fishes for King/Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Brown and Lake Trout depending on the time of year that you want to fish. Contact Jeff at 231-510-1366 or to learn more about Brown Bear Sport Fishing Charters.  

Jeff Bajtka has more than 20 years experience in sport fishing on Manistee’s Lake Michigan. Spend a half or whole day on the beautiful water of Lake Michigan leaving out of the Manistee port.

Brown Bear Sport Fishing Charter in Manistee, Michigan
Brown Bear Sport Fishing Charter in Manistee, Michigan

If you want to know about walleye fishing, my advice is to talk to a local fisherman. They hold a wealth of knowledge.

When I was a kid my legendary uncle, Emil Dean, would take my family and I out on the Lake Michigan in his charter boat the Mary E.  Emil Dean paved the way for all of the fishing charters in Michigan. 

Emil Dean aboard the Mary E.
Emil Dean aboard the Mary E.

Do You Eat the Skin on Walleye?

No, whenever I cook walleye fillets, the skin is removed.  When cleaning the walleye, make sure to remove the skin and all of the bones.  

Does Walleye Have Bones?

Yes, walleye fish have what is known as Y bones.  Check out this YouTube video on how to properly remove the bones from walleye

How to Cook Walleye

Gather all of your ingredients to make your oven-baked walleye.  Pre-heat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.   

Baked Walleye Recipe Ingredients - walleye fillets, white onion, olive oil and seasoned salt and pepper.
Baked Walleye Recipe Ingredients

Using a standard baking sheet, cut a piece of foil that is double the size of the sheet pan.  Cover the sheet pan with ½ of the foil so that the shiny side is down, and the dull side of the foil is up.  

The idea of this is to be able to fold the other ½ of the foil over the fish and seal to cook.  Spread the olive oil on the sheet pan foil.  

Olive oil drizzled on a foil lined baking sheet.
Olive oil drizzled on a foil lined baking sheet.

Sprinkle some of the seasoned salt and pepper onto the oiled foil. 

Seasoned olive oil drizzled on a foil lined baking sheet.
Seasoned olive oil drizzled on a foil lined baking sheet.

Lay the walleye fillets in a single layer on top of the seasoned oil, making sure that you are doing this on the sheet pan.  

Walleye fillets on-top of Seasoned olive oil drizzled on a foil lined baking sheet.
Walleye fillets on-top of Seasoned olive oil drizzled on a foil lined baking sheet.

Lightly season the fish fillets on last time.  

Lightly seasoned walleye fillets.
Lightly seasoned walleye fillets.

Slice the onion into thin rings, separate the rings and place onto the top of the walleye fillets. 

Sliced onion on-top of walleye fillets.
Sliced onion on-top of walleye fillets.

Fold the foil over so that you are completely covering fish.  Roll the foil ends together starting with the opposite side of the folded foil.  Then roll both the end sides to completely sealing the fish into the foil pouch.

With a sharp knife, gently poke a few holes into the top of the foil pouch.  Make sure to not puncture the bottom of the foil. 

Hole poked baked walleye foil pouches.
Hole poked baked walleye foil pouches.

How Long to Bake Walleye?

Place the sheet pan into the pre-heated 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes.  

Check the oven baked walleye fish after 30 minutes to see if the fish is done.  To do this, use a fork to try and flake the thickest part of the fish.  

You want the fish to flake easily and be white in color.  If you see any translucent color or if the fillets do not want to flake apart easily, then put back into the oven and cook for 10 – 15 minutes longer.     

Baked Michigan Walleye Fillets
Baked Michigan Walleye Fillets

Oven Walleye – Frequently Asked Question

Should I Cover Fish When Baking?

Yes, when you cover the fish when baking it creates a steaming affect. This is what cooks the walleye in 30 to 45 minutes.

If You Like This Baked Walleye, Then You Might Like This:

Try this Camarones a la Diabla recipe and this Air Fryer Tilapia.

Griddle Cooking with Chef Sherry Ronning

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Oven Walleye Recipe

For the full recipe sandwich and nutrition facts, click below.

Yield: 4 Servings

Oven-Baked Walleye Recipe

Oven-Baked Walleye Recipe with steamed cauliflower and a side salad.

This delicious oven-baked walleye recipe is freshly caught and so healthy. In less than 45 minutes, this easy baked walleye recipe is ready to serve. With only 4 ingredients, Lake Michigan Walleye never tasted so good!! When cooked, fresh walleye fillets are super tender and bright white in color.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • Walleye Fillets 2 lbs (973 g)
  • Onion, White - Sliced 1/2 cup (1.25 oz) (35 g)
  • Olive Oil 1 tablespoon (0.55 oz) (16 g)
  • Lawry's, seasoned salt 1/2 teaspoon (0.1 oz) (3 g)
  • Morton's Seasoning Blend 1/4 teaspoon (0.05 oz) (1 g)

Instructions

  1. Gather all of your ingredients to make your oven-baked walleye.
  2. Pre-heat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit.
  3. Using a standard baking sheet, cut a piece of foil that is double the size of the sheet pan.
  4. Cover the sheet pan with ½ of the foil so that the shiny side is down, and the dull side of the foil is up. The idea of this is to be able to fold the other ½ of the foil over the fish and seal to cook.
  5. Spread the olive oil on the sheet pan foil.
  6. Sprinkle some of the seasoned salt and pepper onto the oiled foil.
  7. Lay the walleye fillets in a single layer on top of the seasoned oil, making sure that you are doing this on the sheet pan.
  8. Lightly season the fish fillets one last time.
  9. Slice the onion into thin rings, separate the rings and place onto the top of the walleye fillets.
  10. Fold the foil over so that you are completely covering fish. Roll the foil ends together starting with the opposite side of the folded foil. Then roll both the end sides to completely sealing the fish into the foil pouch.
  11. With a sharp knife, gently poke a few holes into the top of the foil pouch. Make sure to not puncture the bottom of the foil.
  12. How Long to Bake Walleye?
    Place the sheet pan into the pre-heated oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes.
  13. Check the oven baked walleye fish after 30 minutes to see if the fish is done. To do this, use a fork to try and flake the thickest part of the fish. You want the fish to flake easily and be white in color. If you see any translucent color or if the fillets do not want to flake apart easily, then put back into the oven and cook for 10 – 15 minutes longer.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 313Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 249mgSodium 433mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 0gSugar 1gProtein 56g

Note: For exact nutritional information, consult your dietitian. All nutritional information is simply a guideline.

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If you enjoy this recipe, you may enjoy the following: Pickled Fish and Smoked Salmon

Pickled Fish on a cracker with a fish and crackers tray
Pickled Fish
Smoked Salmon
Smoked Salmon
By on April 21st, 2021
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About Sherry Ronning

Welcome to FROM MICHIGAN TO THE TABLE! My name is Chef Sherry Ronning and I am a food blogger from Michigan. Professionally cooking and baking Midwestern Cuisine for more than 30 years. Specializing in fresh fish, venison, farm raised meats and griddle recipes. Please enjoy my recipes!!

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15 Comments on “Oven-Baked Walleye Recipe”

  1. I’m not sure that I’e ever had walleye and it’s not one we have here, but I do like baking fish in foil so can see this seasoning working with other fish too.

    Reply
  2. Such a simple and fresh preparation – perfect for a fresh fish like this. Hoping to get my hands on some Walleye now to try it out!

    Reply
  3. I love this recipe! I was on the hunt for a simple but delish walleye recipe when I found this one. So amazing – everybody loved it!

    Reply
    • I plan to make this tonight. 30-45 minutes seems like a long time. Does it overcook the fish? I realize 350 isn’t that hot though.

      Reply
      • It depends on how thick your walleye is. If it is thinner filets then you can cut down the time to 20 to 30 minutes. Just make sure to check the fish and make sure it’s done by pulling the layers apart and the fish meat should be all white in color. Let me know how it turned out.

        Reply
    • I have not made this recipe with frozen fish so I can not give you an answer. I don’t see why you couldn’t. Just extend the baking time a little longer but make sure not to over cook the fish. If you make it, let me know how it turns out and I will update my post.

      Reply
  4. This recipe made the walleye a 5 star dinner! Now I can freely accept my son’s catch of the day and know how to make it delicious. Thank you Michigantothetable!

    Reply
  5. Just had the walleye dinner and couldn’t wait to send you a message. So easy to prepare. It will definitely be my go to fish recipe. Only one question. The film of how to cook it had butter instead of the oil. So I comprise and put oil on the bottom and then I used butter on the top. I was just wondering why. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe.

    Reply
    • In this walleye recipe I have used butter, margarine, and olive oil. All these work great and gives the fish great flavor along with your spices. My spices have also been switched up. I prefer to use spices that my family is used to which is Lawry’s seasoned salt and Morton Natures Seasonings. When I use other different seasonings, my family has a tendency not to like it as well as when I use ingredients that they are used too.

      Reply

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