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Walleye

Walleye

Walleye in Missouri are both native and stocked - they're native to many Missouri rivers but now occur in numerous lakes due to impounding rivers with native populations and extensive stocking programs. The Missouri Department of Conservation stocks over 1.

5 million walleye fingerlings annually into waters including Bull Shoals Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Stockton Lake, Truman Lake, Smithville Lake, Table Rock Lake, and others.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Walleye in Missouri are a slender, spiny-rayed fish with two separate dorsal fins, large mouth with prominent teeth, and distinctive opaque, cloudy eyes caused by a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum that allows exceptional low-light vision.
  • Adult walleye typically measure 12-28 inches and weigh 8 ounces to 8 pounds, though much larger specimens occur.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Walleye inhabit open water of lakes and reservoirs and the pools of streams, preferring deeper areas during the day (often 12+ feet) and moving to shallower water at night.
  • In Missouri reservoirs, they're often found at or near the thermocline (25-35 feet) during summer.

Key Locations

  • Prime walleye waters include the Black River (considered the best walleye stream in Missouri), Current River, Meramec River, and major reservoirs like Stockton Lake (which produces more walleye per hour than any other Missouri lake), Bull Shoals (home to Missouri's record walleye), and Lake of the Ozarks.

Specific Spots

  • Key locations include rocky points, drop-offs near submerged river channels, the thermocline intersection with structure, tributary mouths, dam areas, and wind-blown points where baitfish concentrate.
  • On Stockton Lake, find shad over rocky bottoms and work spoons through them.

Walleye FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Walleye in Missouri?

Jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers, suspending jerkbaits (Smithwick Rogues, Sixth Sense Provoke), live bait on bottom, bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers, minnows, or leeches, crankbaits like Flicker Shads, Rapala crankbaits, and lipless baits, Hopkins-style spoons in ½ oz to ¾ oz, deep-diving crankbaits...

When is the best time to fish for Walleye in Missouri?

The most productive walleye fishing in Missouri occurs during pre-spawn (late winter/early spring) and post-spawn periods, with fall also providing excellent action as fish bulk up for winter. Avoid fishing during actual spawning when water hits 45-50°F as fish are focused on reproduction rather than feeding.

How do you catch Walleye in Missouri?

During late winter/spring, fish slow presentations like jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers, suspending jerkbaits. Summer patterns focus on deeper water structure where bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers, minnows, or leeches trolled under 1 mph are extremely effective.

What do Walleye eat?

Walleye are primarily carnivorous nocturnal predators that feed mainly on fish (particularly shad and sunfish in Missouri impoundments), insects (especially mayflies), crayfish, and leeches.

Where do Walleye live in Missouri?

Walleye inhabit open water of lakes and reservoirs and the pools of streams, preferring deeper areas during the day (often 12+ feet) and moving to shallower water at night. In Missouri reservoirs, they're often found at or near the thermocline (25-35 feet) during summer.

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