The Run Continues.  Good weather has extended an already incredible autumn walleye bite on the Missouri River into December. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

Not much has changed in the way of walleye fishing on the open water on the Missouri River near Bismarck. It’s been a fall to remember, that’s for sure.

If this autumn’s bite is any indication of what will happen this spring, it’s going to epic! I have never in my 45 plus years of fishing this river seen the amount of fish in the 14-to-20-inch range as I have this year. It has been absolutely crazy at times.

I have 3 more open water guide trips left for 2023 this week and I promise I will start reporting on the ice fishing. (Hopefully.) 

Speaking of ice fishing, a few are venturing out on this ice in areas across North Dakota. At the moment it is not safe for clients, so we are backing off our trips for this week. I will reevaluate after next weekend. As for now, it’s going to be open water hooksets galore!

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