Walleye growth dynamics

[NotoriousBLM]

I'm heading down to Missouri for bass and crappie fishing. While I was researching the lake we will be fishing, I noticed the MO state record walleye is 21 lbs 01 oz(taken on Bull Sholes Resevoir). I quess I've always assumed walleyes to be more of a "cold water" fish. Any information you could give me would be great. It just doesn't seem right Missouri of all places has a state record that is just about 4 lbs bigger than ours.

[musky hunter]

Like most fish, food supply and temperature dictate the rate that the fish will grow at. For northern walleye, the rate is amazingly slow. My last walleye catch (St. Louis River near Duluth) was measured by the Wis. DNR, and somehow we started talking about walleye growth. According to him, it takes a walleye 5 years to reach 16". Then, after that, they grow about 1/2" per year. That means that a 25" walleye is 23 years old, +/-. If you have the opportunity, check with the Mo. DNR and find out what they say the walleye growth rate is down there. I bet it'll be faster.