You Have to Work for It.  Walleyes are a tougher find on the Missouri River, as water temperatures have not cooled as quickly as in most seasons.  Other fish such as pike and catfish are on the bite, however.

By Mike Peluso

Things are developing slower with the walleye fishing than what I had hoped for so far this fall on the Missouri River near Bismarck.

We just are not seeing those magical cooling water temperatures with the abnormally warm weather we are experiencing. My hope is with the shorter days and cooler nights we will get there.

If you just like to catch fish, the river isn’t bad that way. If you are looking for walleyes only, that has been a grind. Everyday I’ve been out so far has been different. There have been a few really nice fish caught just not an overabundance of them.

Jigs and minnows have been what I’ve been using and my jig supply has taken a beaten this past week with all the northern pike, gar and catfish. Like I said if you just like catching fish that is definitely happening.

I have only a couple opens left towards the end of the month but will continue to guide through November, weather permitting. 

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