On the Regular.  Large walleyes are showing up and being caught with greater frequency on the Missouri River this spring. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

It feels as though this week things are all the sudden ahead of schedule when it comes to fishing walleyes on the Missouri River.  Water temperatures have climbed and the  walleyes are milking.  My guess is things will slow a bit with this week’s rains, winds, and cooler temperatures.  

Currently, it seems like a good mix of fish are showing themselves with one or two big ones each day and perfect eater size fish to go along with those picture fish. Jigs and plastics have been producing some of the bigger fish and for numbers of fish, the jigs and minnows are king.  Crankbaits are also just starting to shine as well. 

Some of the bigger females are starting to make their way to the warmer sand.  I am still seeing plenty of them out in the current, but as time progresses they will all make their way up shallower. 

I’m super excited for the next few weeks out on the river.  I think things will just continue to get better and better!  Another awesome thing about this spring is that we are finding fish in so many more spots. It is nice to be able to spread out and not have to crowd each other while fishing. 

Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide specializing in walleyes on the state’s premier waters.