I have no experience catching walleye except for in 2 lakes in my general area as those are the only lakes where they're present. They stock several thousand fingerlings each year that when mature will control the white perch population. The particular lake I'm talking about is generally shallow averaging 6-8 feet for the most part with the perimeter closer to 4-5 feet for several hundred feet from shore in a number of spots. Farther towards the center it averages between 10-15 deep. There are two deep holes, but they don't cover much area. It's understood that dissolved oxygen isn't present here below 15ft, and the walleye cannot reproduce. It's basically a big bowl with particular bottom contours but no moving flow of water in or out.
There's a large shallow flat, approximately 2-3 ft deep, covering several acres that's a prime Large and Smallmouth area due to a feeder stream where baitfish are present.The walleye seem to arrive in groups that are organized by size. They're either quite big, 24"-30" or 14-18". There are nights where we've caught 30 and not a single fish was a dud, a wet blanket, etc. I never mistake a LM bass for a SM bass, but it often feels like a big smallmouth's on the line when it's actually a walleye. They don't jump or tail-walk like a smallmouth, but the hard change of direction and pull is similar. It's definitely not the fight of even a big largemouth. Before I caught one here I had zero prep on what it would be like, but I was blown away. I've been trying to get my son in law out late one night so he can experience it himself. I'm never disappointed. It's a total blast.
I mentioned your post to my brother tonight. He speculated that maybe walleye pulled up from deep water are starched and have no fight? BlueBasser86's experience mirrors our's, so we're not having a group delusion thankfully! PM me if you're ever out this way and up for a late night walleye grind. If we get on 'em you'll see what I'm talking about. Oh, and bring some big swimbaits. They smash 'em.