They've been stocking shoal bass in the hooch for a few years now, although i hear the flint is better for them--- could be the stripes take a toll on them in the hooch. I've caught many many smallies in my life and consider the shoals their equal in fight-- heck, i can't really tell the diff looking at them most times. I caught a shoal in the hooch two yrs ago that had to have been 4-5 lbs-- dragged my canoe around a bit like a nantucket sleigh ride, actually up current for a bit. Few fish are as fun as a smallie or shoal on an ultralight or fly rod...in fact i originally took up fly fishing specifically for smallmouths (the trout guys seemed like such friggin snobs: dude, it's FISHING)
I still can't fathom (pun intended) how to catch walleyes on lanier, other than by accident; the rivers may be the best bet. Look at any walleye rig and you see the trouble with lanier-- the rigs are mostly weighted for drifting worms or lures with blades deep and/or along the bottom. Good for natural lakes up north-- NOT good for fishing flooded forests. My guess is grassy shallows at night is your best shot; they're almost purely low light predators
Walleye are the best fresh water fish for frying, bar none; my opinion of course, but I'm always right (no--wait--that's my wife!).