Hey Moose,

Most people think of walleye as a northern species but they seem to like Arkansas pretty well. Some say walleye were actually native to several of our rivers including the Little Missouri River that forms Lake Greeson and the Ouachita River that forms Lake Hamilton where this walleye came from. These lakes are about 120-feet deep near their dams and have plenty of cool deep water.

The world record walleye – 22-pounds 11-ounces was caught in Greers Ferry Lake in North Central Arkansas - see State Walleye Records. We also have the world record German Brown Trout caught in the Norfork River, just north of Greers Ferry. The largest walleye I've caught was an 8-pound/28-inch female in the headwaters of Lake Greeson about 4:00 one January morning.

There are several other large reservoirs in North Arkansas that also have good populations of walleye. Few anglers pursue walleye in this area and most are caught fishing for bass. We catch them trolling crankbaits – usually deep diving Shad Raps – and also on minnows and/or jigs fishing around brushpiles for crappie.

I suspect that walleye recruitment depends primarily on adequate spawning habitat and these deep rocky reservoirs with many feeder creeks, points, ledges and humps must have some good walleye habitat. Our Game and Fish Commission has an aggressive stocking program for walleye too.