Old news is good news. The big fish are still lingering around the river hear near Bismarck, and that’s a great thing! Especially if you have kids. This is the absolute perfect time to introduce a kid to fishing.

I still have the remainder of May that I will be guiding the river. The spring for me has gone way too fast and I’m going to miss not having to be a road warrior to do my job. The reports will switch to Devils Lake and Lake Sakakawea starting in June.

So what are we seeing here locally on the Missouri River near Bismarck? Lots of fish and a nice mix in size. Still seeing one of those big girls a day that range in the 26 to 32 inch range. Most, if not all, are spawned out now. They are still fun to see come up from the darkness and into a net. Less impressive without the egg weight, but still awesome fish to see!

Jigs and minnows are still doing the bulk of the catching. Crawlers on jigs will take off as soon as the water temps hit the 50’s consistently. Look for these fish now in spots that are right off the main channel. Remember a lot of fish are traveling the opposite direction they were just a week or two ago. Almost look at the river in reverse. Outsides of the spots that seemed to hold fish early will produce like crazy right now. Fish are using the current now to drift themselves back to Oahe all the while they are trying to recover from the spawn.

I expect the bite to remain strong here all the way into June if you don’t mind dodging jet skis and pontoon boats. I have a few openings left for May on the river and also scattered dates for Devils Lake and Sakakawea if your interested. Get ahold of me to see if we can make a trip work.