It’s been an awesome week out here in Bismarck North Dakota getting back on the Missouri River fishing the open water again! 

Pretty warm weather helped melt some ice and dried some stuff out a little.   We also saw some boat ramps open up and even a couple of the ramps put docks in making it easier to load and unload.  

The early portion of the week there was only two ramps open.  With 70 degree temperatures it made for a couple really busy boat landings.  As of now almost all the public ramps near Bismarck are open.  

Unfortunately, the most popular boat landing near the Interstate bridge has been taken away.  This has definitely left a huge void for getting on the water.  Plus, it was probably the best ramp for ease of launching with it laying north and south.  So if you want to put your boat in the water in Bismarck the only option you have is Fox Island. 

The bite has been pretty solid.  Pretty common to see a decent bite right after ice out.   We will however experience a slow down of sorts.  Lots of the fish being caught wintered here.  Once caught and kept things will feel off or slow.  This is where we have to wait for a migration of fish pushing up from Lake Oahe to spawn.  

Water temps did hit 40 during the 3 days of 70 degree temps.  Today (Sunday) it was 38.5 to 39.5 depending on where you were at.  Navigating is different from last year so erase your trails from last year and start fresh.  

Pitching jigs tipped with minnows off current edges begins sandbar structure has done all the work for my boat this week.  The fish are extremely healthy and willing to bite for the most  part.  Sunlight seems to activate the bites so make sure you are in a good spot when the sun peeks out.  

Things should be in full force now unless we get a late spring blizzard.  I don’t have any openings left for the river this spring.  I do have a few scattered dates for Devils Lake mid May early June and Lake Sakakawea opening for August.