Found the Feed.  Walleyes have plenty to eat in the Missouri River as a bumper crop of young fish from a variety of species provide significant forage.

By Mike Peluso

When it comes to walleyes on the Missouri River, we are seeing  a huge forage run happening right now on the flow near Bismarck. All of this food has created a little bit of difficulty in getting the fish to bite. We are getting them to eat but it’s taking a bit of coaxing to do so.

I’m seeing everything from smelt, shiners and fatheads to baby white bass, baby drum and even bullheads in the bellies of these fish. The walleyes we are catching are extremely healthy as well. The future of the entire system is definitely bright if we can keep enough water down in Lake Oahe.

We are still able to catch the fish with jigs and minnows. This week we are catching way more fish slipping the current and keeping presentations vertical. My hope is that these walleyes are going to continue to put the feed bag on as the water temperatures continue to fall. I think once the switch is flipped it’s going to be crazy! I just hope it happens before the snow flies.

I still have openings for anyone looking to get out one last time! Get ahold of me if you want to get out again for your last hoorah.

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