I live at lake of the ozarks and I've heard whispers that the walleye prespawn bite is warming up. Never caught or targeted walleye in my life. What lures and techniques should I be using to target them this time of the year? 

Jerk baits seem to be good this time of year.  About the spawn, it may already be over.

Walleye are partial to almost the same baits as bass. You can target them with jerk baits & crank baits either casting or trolling. They will be shallow early in the season & retreat to deeper water as the lake temps rise. They do suspend at bait levels & often target open water bait balls. They are primarily low light feeders except for deeper water during daylight. When they are found on or near the bottom they can be targeted with jigs tipped with worms or minnows or soft plastics, plain hair jigs, swim baits or vertically jigged with blade baits and spoons. Walleye can also be found in or near weed edges picking off bait hiding in or near the cover. Experienced walleye fisherman also target them at night or low light on top water baits near cover.   

At LOZ, head right up to the tailwaters and fish shad profile cranks along the riprap, or jigs with grubs/swimbait bodies. Lipless baits can work well also.