Missouri River and Sakakawea Fishing Report-July 5th, 2026

Written by Mike Peluso

July 6, 2026

Sorry I’m getting this one out a day late.  Busy holiday weekend of fishing, boating, fireworks, and family! 

Anyway, the fishing especially on and Sakakawea just continues to impress.  The quality and quantity are abundant and willing.  The best part is the fish are staying shallow.  Or I should say there are plenty of fish up shallow.  

Water temps have risen and I think this is pushing them into high gear.  Lots of fish in that 16 to 20 inch range with some big fish mixed in! I just love when a client hooks into a 25 inch plus in under 10 foot of water. 

Slow death, lindy rigs and prop rigs are all working with a half a nightcrawler.  .08 to 1.0 mph is the perfect pace getting lots of bites. 

Another place I fished this week was on the river back near Bismarck.  To my surprise lots of fish remain to be caught out there as-well.  An 1/8oz jug with a chunk of crawler on it just slowly dragged behind the boat kept my daughters plenty busy! 

I don’t have any more openings on Sakakawea for July but I have some available dates for August up here!  You are definitely gonna want to get in on this!

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