Winter Walleye Tips and Techniques

Table Rock Dam occasionally frustrates some anglers on Taneycomo Lake by releasing millions of gallons of ice-cold lake water. This controlled controlled deluge floods through Taneycomo, bouncing docks and covering up islands of rocks and small trees. Many find the current is difficult to fish when the big waters are released and avoid it.

Professional guides on this unique stretch, noted as one of the world's most prolific trout lakes, take out clients in all conditions.

Duane Doty, the owner of Ozark Trout Runners, is one of Taneycomo's fishing gurus and a top guide. He lives and breathes fishing on his favorite lake and serves returning clients annually.

I joined Doty on a cold, mercifully windless morning when Table Rock Dam was releasing water from four chutes, causing high-water conditions on Taneycomo. Three generators were running at 9653-cubic feet per second (CFS) from five flood gates dumping another 5100-CFS for a total of 14,753-CFS or in terms most of us will understand, a lot of water-filled Taneycomo's banks.

We had hopes of catching a big brown trout. Doty handed me a spinning rig with a unique looking plastic jerk bait to resemble shad. I took a long look at the lure that was crafted and painted by Doty. I was warned that brown trout might not be all we catch, walleye from the bottom of Table Rock Lake were possible. I never turn down walleye fillets.

"The Missouri Department of Conservation doesn't stock walleye in Lake Taneycomo," Doty explained. "Walleye and other warm-water species come through the flood gates of Table Rock Dam. Bigger fish may not survive, but many pan-sized walleyes will. The bite can be exciting after flood gates have been opened and shad are pouring through. A few walleyes hang up by the gate and provide a good bite. We've had a lot of flood gate activity this year and are seeing quite a few walleye as a result."

My first three casts were practice runs developing my lure jerking action to match Doty's. The fourth cast produced a strike and pleasant surprise when the first walleye was netted. The slender fish fought well and measured long enough to enter our livewell.

Minutes later, Doty set the hook on a bigger walleye that made several hard runs before being netted. His "eye" was about 3 ½ pounds with sharp teeth and a lot of fight left while flopping in the net.

"This is what we're after," Doty said. "Keep the lure as close to the bank as possible and be ready for a strike on the pause. They hit hard and sometimes may hook themselves."

Sadly, my next jolt was a quick hit and miss when a good-sized walleye bit and released my stick bait somehow. Those trebles were razor-sharp, and I almost hooked my finger on them several times while clearing tangled lines or hooks that occasionally connect while the lure is in flight, ruining the shad imitation's action.

"Before the lure hits the water, reel a couple of times to take out slack," Doty suggested. "That will help you keep the trebles straight and they won't tangle as often."

"January and February are exciting times to fish Taneycomo," Doty said. "We have a lot of threadfin shad die off and filter through the turbines of Table Rock Dam. During this period fish white lures and you might catch big trout, walleye or even bass."

The crowds are much less then, and on occasion you might have the entire lake to yourself. I may only have a couple guide trips a month and have a lot of time to go out and fish on my own. I am on the water every chance I get and constantly learn something new about catching Taneycomo fish." Where to look for walleye: Winter walleye are structure-oriented and often hungry. Look for the angled bottom structure that eventually meets a drop-off—precisely the structure we fished on Taneycomo. Look for rocky shelves or huge boulders, then drift across these areas with minnows--or salted minnows where live bait is not permitted. Walleye suspend in these areas in search of baitfish. You may constantly have to keep the motor running to stay on fish in windy conditions. Wind will push you past the fish. Winter fish are often staged on slanted areas and a few feet to the right or left can mean no strikes. The key is staying where the walleye prefers to be. Try 1/4-ounce jig heads in calm water and 3/8th or heavier in wind and waves. Winter walleye require an adequate presentation. Most winter walleyes suspend on the bottom. An occasional soft lift off the bottom can draw many strikes. Sometimes hits come on the drop, making line control extremely important. Other times hits may be soft; no more than a light twitch or the line might suddenly start moving sideways. Trolling: Trolling is an excellent winter technique if you go slow enough. I like to use the current for trolling or bumping baits, lures or jigs across the bottom. Try turning your boat sideways and cast out two or three lines. Make sure your baits, jigs or lures are weighted enough to stay on the bottom. Then watch each rod. Walleye often hook themselves because of this little motion. Try trolling floating Bombers and Smithwick Super Rogues in Fire Tiger and Chrome Black Back and Chrome Blue Back color patterns. Remember to

use plenty of weight about a foot from the lure to hold each presentation on the bottom. Pay close attention while making S-turns when trolling. Bites seem to come on the turn, no matter if it is on the inside or outside turn. The Long "A," Rogue, or other floaters will float up and trigger bites due to this action. Most of these lures run seven to 10 feet, so they're pounding the bottom when House trolls. When he makes a turn, the lure rises in the critical three to four feet strike zone. That little hesitation occurs where the fish are sitting on top of the reef. This is an excellent method for catching larger walleye. Casting: Most cast for winter walleye. Try a much smaller jig or lure during the coldest weather. We have caught walleye while fishing for winter crappie with 1/80 or 1/100-ounce jigs tipped with euro larva or a commercial brand of crappie additive. January and February are exciting times to fish Taneycomo. We have a lot of threadfin shad die off and filter through the turbines of Table Rock Dam. During this period fish white lures and you might catch big trout, walleye or even bass. The crowds are less then and on occasion you might have the entire lake to yourself.

Vertical Fishing: Start by moving to likely spots around rocks or weed beds and vertical fish. Minnows or nightcrawlers are dropped straight down and either suspended or brought up a reel turn every five minutes. The idea is to let that walleye study your bait.

Try using bright gold or blood red hook for added attraction. Some add a tiny piece of Christmas tree tinsel for more shine. Some even glue glitter to their hook or bait. Keep in mind that walleye can detect strange odors, so use glue with the least smell. Again, use a slow retrieve while making sure you keep each offering on the bottom. Twitch your rod tip on occasion. Sometimes this added move will draw strikes. The key is placing your bait in front of the walleye's face, a feat accomplished by patience and lots of time in uncomfortable weather conditions.

Live Bait: Minnows, leeches and nightcrawlers are incredibly effective. Hook your leaches towards the end so they can wiggle and flop. Nightcrawlers are more effective with a shot of air with a hypodermic needle, so they float off the bottom better.

This is especially good in the thick bottom, making it easier for the walleye to locate them. Minnows, especially salted versions, can be hooked through the mouth, extending the hook through their backs.

Lures: Most walleye scatter around the bottom, but occasionally these large predators will chase a school of minnows or small perch. Crankbaits can become extremely productive when walleye are chasing forage. Spoons are good too, especially Al's Gold Fish in gold or silver.

Many northern fishers prefer Rapala or Rebel Deep Divers. The key is color and a tempting wiggle. Try to match what walleye are going after. For example, walleye chasing bluegill might like lures painted dark green, dark blue, or black with an orange belly. Fish chasing minnows might want silver or goldcolored imitation. You might do well with orange or pumpkin-colored lures where goldfish are present. I like darker colors in darker water and lighter colors in lighter water, especially for walleye.

Another critical key to walleye fishing is the use of a fish or structure locator. Again, walleye are structureoriented fish. A device to read the bottom is essential to avoid unproductive fishing waters.

Equipment: A depth finder is more than a little helpful, but not necessary depending on where you are fishing. You will find submerged rocks or weed bed lines with a depth finder. Without you have to guess about prime locations or suspended fish unless you are familiar with the lake bottom.

Try a medium-light tackle for winter walleye. A flexible rod with a four to six-pound test line is enough unless you are fishing in heavy current. Many prefer four because of personal experience. Fluorocarbon lines are known for their virtual invisibility when underwater.

Winter is an excellent time to catch walleye. Try the slower winter method for a full stringer. January and February are excellent times to fish on Taneycomo with Doty. You can contact him on Facebook at Ozark Trout Runners, or call (417)-294-8672.

Kenneth L. Kieser

Duane Doty shows off a good walleye from Lake Taneycomo. (Photo: Kenneth L. Kieser)

**Editors Note: The American Sportfishing Association recognized veteran outdoor writer Kenneth L. Kieser as both the overall Grand Prize winner and the recipient of the Reactivation/Non-endemic category award. His article titled "Fishing is a Calming Experience" ran in the June 15, 2019 edition of the Independence, Mo., newspaper, The Examiner. He, too, won awards in the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers and The Missouri Outdoor Communicators Excellence in Craft Awards in 2019. Congratulations Kenny!