Better for Big Ones. The author is finding scattered larger walleyes on the Missouri River, but that only makes up a small part of his pursuits in a challenging spring on the flow. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso

By Mike Peluso

It’s been a spring to remember on the Missouri River in the sense that it’ll be tough to forget, no matter how much I might want to. Thinking back, I can only recall two days so far this season, since the river opened up on Mar. 19, where it was nice out.

Of course, this has been a battle for my guide business. I’ve had way too many weather cancellations. It’s just not fair for me to have folks come in and take them out when one, it’s crappy out, and two, it’s not what I would call a “guider’s bite” right now. Yes, I love to catch big walleyes! If you follow my social media pages, you will see a lot of pictures of big fish. However, this isn’t the actual target for me while guiding unless my clients, unless they specifically ask to try and catch a big one.

For me I’m looking for numbers and a lot of times the numbers are not where the bigger walleyes typically are. Not to mention, I would fish for the big walleyes differently. Large plastics or creek chubs would be my main techniques. For numbers of walleyes, a jig and a minnow is my bait of choice. In a week or two, cranks will shine and when the lilacs bloom get the 1/8 oz jigs and half a crawler out.

With all the rain, snow, and winds recently, I would anticipate another slowdown in the coming day. I was out all week checking on spots before the rain this weekend and fishing was good if you want to catch a big fish. If you are looking to fill a live well, however, this is not the time. Three to five bites is all I could muster every day this week, but they were the right ones for bigger walleyes.

I’m hoping things settle in here this week, we get a good rebound and fishing takes off again. I’m optimistic things are going to get better soon.

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