A Bit Early, A Bit Late.  It’s too early to access much of the Missouri River, as a late ice out due to colder, snowier conditions has kept ice on the flow and its ramps. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

My ice fishing season has wrapped, and it was a banner winter on Devils Lake; definitely the best I’ve had in the last 5 years. I’m now turning my attention to the open water. Now normally I begin guiding right here near Bismarck, ND on the Missouri River this time of year. However, our ice might be out a tad later than normal this spring. This will not keep me off the open water to the north.

The tailrace region just might be where I’ll be guiding for my first few openwater trips this season. I’ve had to do it in years past. I don’t have many openings for this spring, but I do have a few scattered dates and I also have another couple guides working with me.

From this point forward I will be reporting mainly on the river conditions and ramp conditions until things open up.  If the weather warms up a tad, I will definitely point the Van north and do a little pre fishing and let you know what’s biting. 

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