powerdive

All is well, TL. I just can't see how having the White River strain represented in the gene pool would improve the quality of the walleye fishery . It is a world class fishery already. Some of the PWT pros who fished here were so impressed that they were seriously looking at buying property at Bull Shoals.

Are you serious? Where is the quality? Many people fish walleyes their entire lives and never catch a 10-pounder. Here at Bull Shoals, there are probably more 10-lb. walleyes swimming below the surface than there are fishermen on the surface. Yet you still stand a good chance of catching a limit every time out. And every year there are fish in the 17 to 19 lb. range taken at both ends of the lake. No matter where you go, those are true "fish of a lifetime" for anybody. Anybody. And I believe that due to conditions, these fish have incredibly strong growth potential. So go ahead and mourn the ohasing out of the original White River strain. I really rather doubt that in a reservoir envioronment they had anything over what's out there right now. There aren't many lakes that truly have the potential to beat the world record. Bull Shoals is definitely top-five, and possibly #1 on the list. In my opinion, we have NOTHING to whine about here.

Take Hwy 215 to the marina sign, and turn the opposite way. Boom, you're there.

Wow, 170+ replies, wide-ranging topics, a couple little disagreements...seems the folks who have an interest in walleye fishing were a little backed up! Good to see some earnest walleye talk in the midst of the usual bassntrout lovefest. Hope Mr. B's excellent info didn't get lost in all the excitement, because that was truly enlightening.

I think folks are arguing from partially informed positions. The fact is that Bull Shoals is a great walleye fishery thanks to the efforts of both states. They both know what they're doing, and I believe that each department does try to maximize its returns within its capabilities. I've helped with sampling, and listened to many informative presentations. These guys are good at what they do. About seeing walleye fry being dumped into 86 degree water...If true, I suspect it was a one-time thing involving end-of-season surplus stocks that had to go somewhere. It happens.

Attaboy, Bry!

Yet Bull Shoals is probably the best southern walleye lake in the country. Suggestion: if we'd all keep a couple limits of bass to bury in our gardens, it'd be an even better walleye lake. Bwaaaahahaha! (sorry, couldn't resist)

As I recall from walleye club days and info from conservation agents, the biggest problems with walleye reproduction in these reservoirs are related not to spawning (they accomplish that just fine), but to recruitment--survival of the hatch. The eggs are viable--the biologist strip them and use them to grow their stockers every year. As Bill mentioned, predation without protection is a factor in the wild (although that can be said for all the non-sunfishes), but the biggest issue is fluctuating water levels/timing. Most years, the dropping water levels of late spring eliminate the primary food source (copepods? I forget) for walleye fry, and they either starve out or get eaten (often by larger walleyes) when they're forced to move out into the lake. However, sustained high water provides the feed they need to grow to an escapable size in the shallows. All of the spring-spawning species flourish following high-water springs, and walleyes are no exception. (That might be where those newer statistics came from.) Note that there are a ton of 20-23 inch fish in Bull Shoals right now... Anyway, the upshot is--most years in these manmade lakes, stocking provides virtually all the young fish. In high water years, the stocking is augmented by natural reproduction.

I've heard of 10 pounders measuring from 27.5" (sumo pig) to 32" (skinny as a rail) in length. Where and when you catch 'em has a lot to do with it, but you can also (theoretically) catch two from the same lake on the same day that'll vary like that as well. I caught a heavy 28.5" pre-spawn fish that went 10-4, but I also caught a skinny mid-summer eye that measured over 33" but only weighed 11-12.

Great job, TL. Fillets for the ladies, steaks for the menfolk!

Awesome post, Bill. Thank you.

Dave, that approach is not for everybody, for whatever reason. As an alternative, it's great that there are lots of good fishermen here who are willing to help out.

Phil, you're pretty darn close. We boated up there from Beaver Creek last week and marked only 11-14 feet in the Barker channel. We were looking for walleyes, but it was like the Dead Sea up there. Didn't stay long....

We went deep jigging outta Mutton Creek. High skies and high winds made it tough for us. Brought in 7 crappies and a walleye, all caught on Raps at 35-50 feet. Not a very productive day, but enough for a fine meal.

Bill, were you fishing with Buster?

#7 for me, for 25-75 feet.

I'm a Rapper. I cut off the end hooks and swap out the belly treble for the next size up, as it seems that 99% of my fish were always caught on the treble and 99% of the snags came on the end hooks.

Good info, Straw Hat. Thank you. Don't mind me, just bein' appreciative. I've been out midlake the last couple weekends, trying to make the winter bite start early, but it hasn't happened yet. I usually fish at 40-60 feet or so with spoons and jigging lures...the few crappies that are in those areas aren't bunched up yet....I caught 10 one day, and 5 the other. Once the water temp starts diving thru the 40s, my bite will be on. No walleyes down deep yet, either. But that'll change shortly.

...and people get all wigged out about fishing "deep" water, but 30 feet--if you're sitting up front, just look back at your motor and double the distance, and you're there. Not so far, is it? Ten yards on a football field.

Attaboy, H! Good, solid fish.

Sam, I believe walleyes gain position, flare their gills and inhale their prey even more than bass do. A lot of 'em, even at 2.5 mph, are just suddenly "there"...although some will absolutely annihilate a crank. Once you hook 'em, the larger fish will come in for awhile, then stop and shake their head, come in, stop-n-shake...and if you don't pay attention and play 'em correctly, you'll lose 'em. (Not like locking down and winching in a bass.) Then, of course, when they're 10-12 feet from the boat, no matter what kind of gear you're using, you'd darn well better have your drag set right, because they're taking a power dive and there is no stopping it... Love 'em. Here's a quick tip/suggestion...most people bring a walleye aboard with too short a line from the rod tip to the fish, and that's where the problems start--thrashing fish, net troubles, flying hooks and trebles buried in clothing or human flesh. Try to keep no less than a full rod's length of line out at the end, and that'll eliminate a lot of those troubles.

Thanks, rps. I started it...all in good fun. Yes, bass are great fighters. And aggressive feeders. I just don't see the challenge in catching 40 or 50 runts a day, then crowing about those two unkept keepers. Note Mr. Babler's break-offs on big walleyes. You get a big one up near the boat someday, Quillback, I'll bet you'll come around.

Most of the eyes down here are caught by folks fishing for less challenging species. Bwaaaahahahaaa! Stay with it, Woody. You're on the right path, thanks to great info shared here. Just a matter of time.

The fish are always biting somewhere on the lake. Just gotta figure it out. Sounds easy, huh?

OK, thanks. Most of us eye guys didn't grow up here...if we had, we'd probably be bass chasers just like everybody else.