Some Work on the River.  It’s a challenge to find walleyes right now on the Missouri River, in between the hurdles of warm and low water and competing species like catfish. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso

By Mike Peluso

Over the past week, I spent a couple days south on the Missouri River near Bismarck checking out the start of the fall walleye bite, basically trying to stay in tune with things while I’m hoping for some decent news after tomorrow, giving me the green light to start guiding again. 

Anyway, things are progressing slowly so far on the river.  Low water and warm water temperatures are definitely wreaking havoc on the fall walleye migration and the bite.  We are catching some fish, but we are not quite yet catching the numbers we would like to see. 

Another problem we are having is fighting through the so called “junk fish.” No offense, but I call all other fish on the river junk fish if I’m just targeting walleyes.  The biggest culprit right now are the pesky catfish.   If you want to get the kids into catching fish, you can definitely do that right now!

The walleyes are extremely healthy and there is also a ton of bait around.  Between battling the catfish, warm and low water, and an overabundance of food, you will still catch a walleye or two.  

Jigs and minnows and jigs with crawlers are catching walleyes equally right now.  Some days you have to pitch it out to get bit, and other days they want it vertical and barely moving. 

I think the walleye fishing on the Missouri River should get better once the water temperatures drop.  At least that’s what I’m hoping for here in the weeks to come.  If I get the all clear for a while tomorrow after my doctor’s appointment, I’ll open up the guide business again from now until freeze up! Fingers crossed!

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