Eating It Up.  Eater-sized walleyes are moving upstream and showing up in the Bismarck stretches of the Missouri River. Meanwhile, larger walleyes are staging near the state line. Jigs and minnows are a go-to bait right now for these fish. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso

By Mike Peluso

The Missouri River walleye fishing has definitely improved on the flow in and around the Bismarck area.   We are just now starting to see a trickle of walleyes moving up the river into the area.  They’re not here in huge numbers, but they are much more prevalent than a couple weeks ago.  

On average we are seeing more of the eater-size walleyes.  If your timing is good and you hit the spots right, you can put a few in the net. Jigs and minnows fished vertically are working best, but we are getting some pitching as well.  I am also hearing reports of some of the Lake Oahe giants getting caught down in the South Dakota portion of the Missouri River system. 

Typically, at least over the past few falls, once we hear of  the bigger fish showing up down below us, it’s just the start of the Fall River run. So hopefully – weather permitting – we will be able to take advantage.

Another option right now is Lake Sakakawea, as the walleye fishing there has finally turned back on! The fish are biting pretty good and more consistently.

With the better fall fishing underway, it’s go time!  If you are looking to get out hassle free, get ahold of me! I’ll run guide trips up until freeze up. 

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