OutdoorMissouri.com

I'm thinking that the biggest walleye in Missouri got that way by behaving differently from the fish we catch. That fish is maybe not very easily accessible--probably lives way deep or way out, or way back in the timber. She probably regularly feeds on different forage--maybe 3-lb. drum, or suspended trout, or something. Perhaps she never bothers to spawn; nobody ever said that they have to, especially grand old dames like this one. Maybe she's getting a bit slow in her old age, and won't respond to trolled lures or semi-aggressive presentations like spinner harnesses.

I believe there are several world record-class fish out there in walleye land. Consider muskies and lake trout--both pole-and-line world records are around 70 lbs., but fish of both species have been netted that weighed over 100 lbs. each........

So there's always room at the top.

I have always thought there is a record in Missouri. Bull Shoals is a hot bed without a doubt. A sleeper that I only saw mentioned once was the Black River. I have fished this river for 20 years or better and I believe there are 20 + fish there. I seen a fish being butched 10 years back in the 18 lb range......(65 yr old local and he was darn proud)
I have landed a 14 two 8's and one 10 over the years and have lost a couple giants. Timeing is everything!!!!!!!

Scottie: You are correct about the Black River. Your experience alone with catching huge eyes should tell people that this fishery in underused and could hold a fish of 20 + lbs. I give htis place better odds of a 20 lb.walleye than many of the reservoirs, including Stockton. If you noticed before I even seen your poast on the Black, I listed places and weights of walleyes I thought that they could produce. I chose 18 lbs. for the Black, so I am in the area of that 20 + lber. I just did not have enough information available on catches from there, other than the BIG one you caught, as you told me about that a while back. But now I'm convinced this river can produce a fish this size.

Hey Scott, tell Regina it's been 3 weeks and 2 days. Her turn...

Good for you Mike .....keep it up, it's tough but it can be done. I love to hear the success stories.

If I remember the RUMOR correctly, MDC claimed to have shocked walleye in excess of 25 lbs during last years fish survey at Bull Shoals. Once again that was just a rumor.