Fall patterns

[MNtransplant]

Hi Guys,

Relatively new to this area and didn't get to fish much last fall as we were in the process of having a baby. Wondering what some of the fall patterns are for smallies specifically. I know the trout fishing on Taneycomo is good in the fall and into the winter but wondering about the warm water species. Are there resident smallies that stay in stretches of the James or Sac/Little Sac or do most of them migrate back to the main lakes toward deeper water? All I got is a good pair of waders so I'm really just a stream and river fisherman

Also, I'm getting fired up about hitting the walleye spawn, I'm told around February is the best time to hit it but when and where have you guys had the best success for finding spawning walleye? My friends in Minnesota would get geek'd out if I told them I was catching walleye in Missouri..ha!