One the Move.  The influx of warm waters on Missouri River tributaries may pull walleyes into their flows earlier than normal, thanks to recent warm days and more melting. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso

By Mike Peluso

I’m not sure where to begin with this week’s walleye fishing report. Normally I would be in full blown ice fishing mode right now, but with this weather it’s hard to stay focused on the hard water.  However, I will report a little bit on that, but we are going to talk a little about the recent developments with open water approaching fast! 

I’ll start with the little I know as far as what’s happening on the ice.  Lake Sakakawea has been probably the most consistent bite for the guys venturing out.  Unfortunately, the shorelines are taking a beating right now with the melt, and there have been reports of people having issues getting on and off the ice.  

If you decide to head that way, be careful!  Once out on the main ice it’s okay.  There is plenty of ice yet.  Access is and will be the main issue.  There are some reports of fish being caught south on Lake Oahe also, but the same is holding true down there.  The shorelines are a mess and becoming dangerous. 

Devils Lake from what I’m being told has been up and down.  One day the bite is pretty good and the next day not so much.  Some of the smaller lakes out east are still producing  good perch and walleyes, but those smaller bodies of water have to remain nameless,  or I won’t have any more friends. 

So this brings me to what’s happening on the river here near Bismarck – and it’s a lot! I think if this weather continues, we will see a very early ice out.  The only problem I see right now is some of the major tributaries have opened up prior to the main river ice coming off.  

This is never a great thing for a few reasons.  First being those fish that are already up in the river feel that warmer flow of water and race towards it.  This draws a lot of fish out of the main river channel.  It seems as though once those fish go up those tributaries they don’t come out until after they spawn. 

Sometimes this can have an impact on our spring fishing.  We will have to wait and see.  Another downside to those fish going up those back channels is people find them and fish them.  Usually that isn’t a big deal except most of those fish don’t exactly bite.   The water is super stained and the fish get super concentrated.   So, snagging them seems to happen more than the fish biting. 

We’ve all heard the stories from years past. Of course this is just speculation at this point, but if history repeats itself, it’s my guess the banks will be lined with anglers out fishing.  Again, they have every right to fish, but I just hope that if people do accidentally snag one, they release it back into the water. 

If the river opens early, I will open my guiding dates early also.  I normally don’t start booking trips until April 1.  Keep an eye on my website and social media accounts. I will keep everyone updated.   I’m definitely getting spring fever with this recent warm up and from having my guide season cut short last summer due to my unexpected health issues. So, I’ll be super excited to get back into guide mode!

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