walleye

[walleye4butch]

Great discussion, walleye do spawn in Stockton.  A good number along the dam riprap some on rocky pts throughout the lake and many spawn up in the creeks and rivers that empty into the lake. Fry success varies with lake conditions and is probably very poor even in years with good water conditions. Competition with other fish just doesn't add up to much success for the young walleye, MDC does a great job milking the spawners and growing fry and then releasing them where in a few years we have a nice walleye to catch and eat. I used to take an annual trip up turnback to catch walleye and white bass around this time of the year. We usually fish 3 days and 1 day always would be good and a front would come through and we wouldn't do any good. My best walleye was 31+ caught in turnback on a shad rap she started spewing eggs when she was netted, and continued until we made it back down to the lake she was 10 even at the trading post in greenfield spawned out. That was 30 plus years ago I have seen several 8's over the years in riffles of turnback and sure they are the same in other creeks, this year with low water I wouldn't think much of a run will occur. Good luck to all I plan to fish Stockton 2nd week of turkey season until then I would appreciate everyone release all keeper walleye until I can take a shot at them.

[MOPanfisher]

I don't believe that the MDC shocking walleye in the rivers has any effect on them or on any other fish. I think you are trying to attribute way too much intelligence into a critter with the brain the size of a small marble.   I know of some very small rivers that are sampled by electro shocking every year, but still because they are driven by biology, the fish come back to spawn.  Nature tries its best to find a way, but sometimes the conditions just aren't there. 

Because it interests me I have been trying to find articles about lake spawning walleye, they are few and far between with mostly conjecture and little hard biological data.  Some suggest that walleye will seek out the streams where they were hatched (sort of like salmon), others talk about spawning on reefs or gravelly points if the wave action is sufficient to keep the nests clean of silt.  One of the more interesting things I found on, I believe a MN DNR site, was about if the water temp warms up too quick the eggs will hatch prematurely, thus greatly reducing the success of the spawn.  It is quite believable, to me any way, that the further south you go, the waters tend to warm up more quickly and reduces the success of the hatch on those that do try to spawn.  and I agree that it doesn't take a very large creek/river to attract the walleye they do need to have some water movement/current or they don't want to move up the tributary.  I wish I was back in college and could figure out a way to do some walleye research for a PhD.

MDC will not change the regs unless they have some science/data behind it to back it up.  I don't believe that there will ever be enough natural reproduction to make much effect on the population as a whole, it will always be mostly a stocked population in the lakes. 

[Smithvillesteve]

Some very interesting takes here to say the least. Not sure we will ever know for sure what these walleyes are doing in Stockton Lake as far as the spawning process. I am thrilled to hear that more bigger fish are being caught there. For a long time all i could catch was a lot of 14 inch fish with the occassional keeper at 15 inches. Some good info boys and interesting opinions on the topic. I am still looking for that 30 incher myself. Got a couple of 28 inchers up in Canada. I think if i caught a 30 inch walleye in Stockton I would get measurements and get a good replica mount of her. Even though we are not sure if she can successfully spawn or not. I couldnt bring myself to put a fillet knife through that beautiful fish. Just my opinion on that. 

[MOPanfisher]

If I ever catch a 30 inch Walleye every one within a half mile will hear me yelling.  I would be much more likely to release a truly big fish like that than anything "normal".

[Walcrabass]

To All,

  Ok, we all have our opinions and our past experiences. What we need now is to hear from the Biologist that takes care of Stockton Lake. If he/she could answer these questions it would put a lot of things to rest.

1. Do Walleye successfully spawn in Stockton Lake?

   a. What percentage of the population spawns?

   b. What percentage of the fry make it?

2. Does shocking Walleye in the Creeks and Rivers during Spawning times deter spawning for that year or future years?

3. What is the possibility of putting regulations on Walleye fishing for Stockton or other Missouri Lakes during " Spawning Time" to help out the "Natural Spawn"?

4. What is the possibility of putting Walleye that have already successfully spawned in other lakes in Stockton or other Missouri Lakes?

5. Mr. or Ms. Biologist, can you or will you help with these questions?

Walcrabass

[MOPanfisher]

Walcrabass I copied/pasted the questions and sent them to the Fisheries Biologist for Pomme de Terre, and asked if he would forward them to the correct individual since I don't have their email.  Will see if it gets a response.    Maybe one of the biologists from other areas read along and can provide insight as well.

[bfishn]

1 hour ago, MOPanfisher said:

Walcrabass I copied/pasted the questions and sent them to the Fisheries Biologist for Pomme de Terre, and asked if he would forward them to the correct individual since I don't have their email.  Will see if it gets a response.    Maybe one of the biologists from other areas read along and can provide insight as well.

I bet there's some head scratchin' over #4... :-)

[terryj1024]

I love all of your guy's comments I personally feel like an 18 inch length limit should be applied to all reservoirs in Missouri. I talked to one of the Missouri biologists couple years ago and she told me that it takes three years for a walleye to mature so that she can spawn so if we're pulling a walleye out of the lake at 15 inches then she does not have a chance to spawn because she is not mature enough. I don't know if I hire link limit would help with the spawn but what would it hurt and if it doesn't help with the spawn I think we would have higher catches of large fish

[Bigfishes1]

Here's to you 18 inch length limit guys.This is kinda funny.... for years I thought the length limit on Stockton was 18" I couldn't tell you how many "short" fish were tossed back outta my boat. Then 3 summers ago a friends son wasn't happy about me releasing his "short" 17 inch walleye, I argued it had to be 18 inches. He looked it up on the phone I found out I was wrong and now him his Dad and his brother feel that I should be reminded that the length limit on Stockton is 15 inches every time they see a walleye. 

[rps]

I researched this very issue. I finally concluded Table Rock and Beaver and Stockton were what I cal "put and take" lakes. What I caught was the result of stocking an no amount of catch and release would help in the future.

I take what I want, within the legal limit, and I do not worry about it.