Ozark River Walleye

[Al Agnew]

The mindset of many in MDC has always been to have as lenient regulations as possible. If there's even a chance that a fishery can stand harvest, they'll open it up to harvest. I haven't talked to anybody at MDC lately about the walleye situation on the St. Francis, so I don't know if they even know whether natural reproduction is enough to sustain a harvestable walleye population. But it's still the case that if anybody is catching walleye from the St. Francis regularly, they are keeping mum about it.

The thing that gets me is, the Current and Black rivers in Missouri have wild, native, river strain walleye that have proven to have the genetics to grow to record sizes but are far from abundant. The local anglers who know how to catch them still tend to keep every one they catch. I'm pretty well convinced that the biggest limiting factor to growing really huge walleye in these rivers is that they are simply cropped off before they can get that big. Why not try to develop a true trophy walleye fishery by cutting the four fish limit to one fish over 30 inches? I'd bet that if you could institute such a reg and enforce it reasonably well (which shouldn't be too difficult because in the winter, when the walleye are most vulnerable, they are concentrated in relatively few pools so you'd know where to police) you could produce world record class walleye in these rivers.

Hog Wally, I am interested in hearing more about your Meramec walleye fishing...especially what your biggest fish have been, when you catch them, and in general what kind of water you find them in.

The live minnow fishing on Black and Current rivers is pretty simple. Fish the biggest, deepest pools from November to mid-February, use big live minnows, 4-6 inches long, lip-hooked with fairly small hooks, rig the hook about 12-18 inches below a small swivel, with a slip sinker above the swivel. Just cast it out where you think the fish should be and let it sit, occasionally moving it a few inches at a time to make sure the minnow hasn't buried itself in leaves or rocks and is out of sight. When a fish takes give it lots of line as freely as possible, wait until it stops running and then starts to move again before setting the hook. That's the way we did it way back when.

[Hog Wally]

I have asked everybody I know who gigs, where they have seen walleye and traditionally it's the same spots year after year. With little time as I have I target these spots and catch walleye. I just wish I knew how many there was in the river so I know if were hurting the population or not. Nobody is catching them on purpose. Just an occasional bass or catfisherman.

[Hog Wally]

I talked to a old timer today who gigs the Stanton area every year and he told me of a spot that has so many (jack salmon) that it's hard to gig suckers in that stretch! I guess you know where I will be at 5:00am Saturday morn

[Hog Wally]

I have my minnow trap set out on the little meramec, which runs through my property. I'm hoping to try out AL's minnow technique Saturday morning near Stanton on the meramec. Still haven't heard back on the genetics question of these walleye. I am gonna figure out how to get pictures posted and let you all see that catching a four fish limit on the meramec is not uncommon.

[hank franklin]

Al, great post, excellent reading. I trust you are saving some of these posts for a book publication sometime, somewhere? If not, you should.

I have limited experience with Meramec River walleye but have caught two while smallie fishing. One near a spring the other in a deeper hole near a riffle. Both probably only 18 inches or so. Both on a crankbait as I recall.

It would surprise me if they are abundant or even common in the Stanton-Sullivan-St. Clair area. I know some guys who gig / catfish that area regularly and I'll ask them.

[Hog Wally]

What spring ?

[hank franklin]

Below Grus's.

[Hog Wally]

That's a dandy spot right now. That hole in front of the cave was full of boats saturday morning. Unfortunately one guy seen us net a big walleye. He was tearing up the crappie in the slough across from cave. You must be a local if you know the Grus name Hope to see you out fishing.

[Smalliebigs]

Al, as always what a fascinating read!!!! thank you. I have to agree with HogWally, I fish the Meramec quite a bit and there are two holes between River Round and just below RT 66 ramp that I know hold Walleye all year round. There are also two really good holes between Sand Ford and RedHorse that have some nice Walleye in them as well and are pretty easy to catch. For the record I catch and release all of my Walleye just like the Smallies

[hank franklin]

I got two different family members with places at Grus's. Unfortunately our paths haven't crossed down there yet this year. Another in-law down off Pickle's Ford. This weekend we're going to float Sapp bridge to the park, just recreating. A sunset cruise you might say, putting in late tomorrow afternoon.