Featured Photo: Scratching ‘Em Out.  Some super-sized walleyes are coming out of the Missouri, but with the muddy water, fishing can be a challenge. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

With the winter we had I was hoping Mother Nature would have at least given us a little break this spring. Unfortunately, she has other plans.

As of April 16, the Knife River, Heart River and all the smaller tributaries are roaring. The Knife is the number one culprit of the muddy water currently in the Missouri River.

This has the river a total mess right now. I would anticipate really muddy water for another week or more. It really all depends on the Knife. I was hoping for a fast turnaround, hoping it would melt fast and run itself out. We will know more in a week or so.

As far as the fishing goes. I have been running north to try to get above the muddy water. We have caught sone really nice walleyes, just not a bunch of them. That has been the tale of this spring so far: quality over quantity. I’m hoping these massive flows will trigger the fish in the southern stretches of the Missouri River system to finally get moving.

As of now I’m in cancellation mode. A single day trip north is ok, but 3 days in a row for clients is a little tough. You have to have the right mentality to be able to fish 7 hours for only a couple bites. However, I will continue to keep everyone updated on the Missouri River status throughout the spring.

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