If you look outside your window today, it’s hard to believe I was out catching walleyes yesterday.
Today marked the first day I’ve been off the water in over 20 days. Being a full time guide, I feel it is important for me to be on the water daily. I try to stay on top of the bite so I can give my clients the best possible day on the water. I always feel if you miss a day you miss a lot. I want to be ready for when the phone rings or the email dings.
I will say we saw a bit of a slow down here near town. The evening bite has been better with the water temps warming up throughout a day. I have seen a spike in bait throughout the river, and that may have something to do with a little slow down, plus the Missouri River near Bismarck-Mandan has had major fishing pressure. Maybe this snow storm coming through is a good thing to keep us all off the water and let all these fishing spots recharge with fish. The fishing is still good by any standard, we just got really spoiled for the first few weeks with tons of fish waiting for us. Now we are waiting for more to show up, and all indications yesterday is they are on the move!
So what’s been working? For me, I’m remaining loyal to the jigs and minnows, jigs and plastics pitched up on the sandbars towards or near the current. The fish are still migrating for spawning position, and if you study your electronics you can see the fish positioning themselves close to the spots and not necessarily in the spots. When walleyes do this, another great way to catch them is to pull crankbaits upstream. The fish kinda spread out and you need to cover some water. Obviously pulling cranks along major sandbars and shoreline stretches in reduced current is where the walleyes are stacking up. The fish are extremely healthy and again I’m seeing lots of bait in the river all the sudden so they are finding plenty of food!
If your looking to get out of the house and still stay safe during these tough times. I’m taking all the precautions I can on my end. I’m healthy and taking my temp daily, I’m sanitizing all my equipment daily and having clients meet me at the ramps instead. Once in the boat or pontoon we are staying separated and outside. Things have been good and the fishing has been great! If you want to go chase some walleyes email me at mikepelusooutdoors@gmail.com