walleyes

i have a question for any and all walleye fishermen on rathbun. it seems i can catch numerous 13″ to 18″ walleyes trolling in May and June using shad raps, flicker shads, wally divers, etc. i am usually fishing 10-15 FOW and hitting the usual places. then all of a sudden the fishing shuts down for me. i am sure the fish move deeper in the hotter months of summer. does anyone do lead core trolling in July and August? do you have good results? what depths are you hitting if you are trolling? would just like a nudge in the right direction, don’t need spots or baits or speeds. woould just like to know if anyone out there has success in the hotter months of summer. thanks in advance for any and all info to my questions.

I dont fish Rathbun much, but in July/August, try trolling those same baits in 3-8fow. I know it sounds ridiculous, but many times thats where the fish are at Rathbun in the hot months. Just try it this summer, I would almost guarantee success.

you are absolutlty right go shallower even right up against the bank at times, maybe try something different this year and cast the bank with your rapalas you wont be disapointed. Its really odd the warmer the better the bite is for me.

A lot of eyes went over the spillway last year because of the high water and the letting out of so much water. DNR guesstimated they lost 40% of the walleyes in the lake. They shocked a bunch below the spillway this winter and put them back in the lake. But I suppose the number saved is just a drop in the bucket compared to what was lost to the Missouri River, what was caught legally, and what was poached(snagged) and kept.

thanks guys! i will give the shallows a try this july/august, trolling and casting.

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A lot of eyes went over the spillway last year because of the high water and the letting out of so much water. DNR guesstimated they lost 40% of the walleyes in the lake. They shocked a bunch below the spillway this winter and put them back in the lake. But I suppose the number saved is just a drop in the bucket compared to what was lost to the Missouri River, what was caught legally, and what was poached(snagged) and kept.

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I just sent an email to the Rathbun Hatchery Manager asking about the 40%. I know most of them at the hatchery and hadn’t heard a percentage. A LOT of fish have went into the chariton river. Even sadder is the number of large females that have been reeled in “backwards” and kept.

I will let you know what I find out…

Not that I don’t beleive Herb, but I’m just hoping it’s lower than 40%!!!!

No problem, I hope my info is wrong too.

Here’s the info I rec’d from my buddy’s dad that supervises the hatchery.

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We have no estimate for this year. A few years ago in the early 2000’s, there was an estimate of about 40% that left the lake. This was after the corps had been releasing high flows during the spawning season when the walleye were congregated more heavily in the area of the dam. Since that time, we have requested a very low release during spawning. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

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Thanks for checking. My info came from a guy who fishes the walleye and crappie tourneys there.