After the Muddy.  Big walleyes still remain in the Missouri River, though the timing has been off with the disjointed spring weather and inflowing water into the system. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.

By Mike Peluso

Big Muddy Tournament Week has come and gone. It’s always a bittersweet time for the spring walleye fishing on the Missouri River. Things really slow down, at least traffic wise, for fishermen after the Big Muddy.

For me it means my days are numbered for the spring guiding on the river; not that the fishing isn’t any good anymore, but I do go to Devils Lake to help out at Perch Eyes Guide Service shortly.

So, what took place this week and during the tournament? Lots! Everything from big fish, little fish, spawning fish, egged up females just showing up, milking male runs, and more. We didn’t see the huge basket come in this year, but 43 pounds for six fish isn’t bad at all and that’s what won it this year.

A lot of fish were caught on jigs and minnows, jigs and plastics and trolling. A few fish were caught on the creek chubs, but it felt like that bite was off compared to years past, and it might have just been timing.

I was happy with our 13th place in the event. It’s an extremely tough tournament with it being pretty tight confines for 100 boats. I was asked before the tournament how I felt about it. I stated that it’s like having all the answers for the quiz but you can’t use them.

Spending the amount of time on the Missouri River like I do, I have a pretty good idea of what’s going on. The unfortunate part for me is that I won’t move in on others and try to have good ethics while fishing this event and while guiding. I saw guys do things out there this week and tournament day that I would never do. It’s hard for me to see guys do what they will to just get over a fish or try to finish higher.

On the bright side of things, 98 percent of the walleyes that were caught yesterday were released back into the river, and I love that this is a release event now.

My bookings are very limited through June and July. I definitely have some dates open for August and a few scattered single days from now until August. Get ahold of me if you are looking for a trip!

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