Missouri River Guide Service
( Bismarck, North Dakota )
Bismarck, ND Fishing Guide
The State Record Walleye was caught on this stretch of river in 2021, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it is broken a few more times right here in the very near future!
Spring and fall are the best times of the year with ice out averaging mid to late March. The spring run will begin right at ice-out, and remains strong into early June! For you guys looking to dust off the winter open water rust because your state is closed, look no further! You will have a chance at a fish of a lifetime right around the city limits of Bismarck! We’re a local Bismarck, ND fishing guide, who travels from the tailrace by Lake Sakakawea, all the way to the south end by Hazelton.
The Missouri River is no place to mess around however with lots of obstacles in the road such as sandbars, logs, rocks, and other debris. This is where my 40 plus years of fishing this system helps me read and stay on top of things on this constantly changing Missouri river system.
The fish will begin to taper off and head back down into Lake Oahe as the spawn ends and the water temps begin to rise. Expect these toothy critters to start showing back up near town (Bismarck, ND) in late September. Lures of choice are mostly jigs tipped with minnows or plastic in the spring and fall. Pitching shallow sandbars is my favorite tactic in early spring with vertical jigging in the fall. Let me tell you this is so addictive!
Good numbers of fish are caught with a chance at a trophy walleye especially early spring. Coming to fish with me on the Missouri River near Bismarck also gives you an opportunity to take in Bismarck’s other attractions. Hawk Tree Golf course and the States Capital just to name a couple.
Honest Missouri River in North Dakota Fishing Reports
Missouri River Fishing Report- April 28th, 2024
The week before the Big Muddy Fishing Report. There are no fish being caught between Cannonball River and the Wilton Boat Landing. All kidding aside, lots of changing is happening right now with the fish migration and the spawn. It's a mix of some fish have spawned...
Missouri River Fishing Report-April 22nd, 2024
As promised I would let you know what this weeks water temps look like. As of Saturday they had dropped anywhere from 8 to 12 degree's depending on where you were on the river. This definitely slowed things up. It slowed the spawning down and it slowed the bite a bit....
Missouri River Fishing Report-April 14th, 2024
Well, it's been an interesting week on the Missouri River. So interesting in fact I almost forgot it's Fishing Report Sunday. That tends to happen when you are guiding everyday and even a double shift or two. The early portion of the week the fishing was absolutely...
Missouri River Fishing Report-April 7th, 2024
The good news is we are finally in full swing this spring. The bad news is the weather really hasn't been all that great. Lots of wind making it difficult. When the weather permits however it seems the fish are willing and able. For my guide business I've been trying...
Missouri River Fishing Report-March 31st, 2024
Things are just starting to get going here on the Missouri River near Bismarck. The weather has been a little up and down, but it's trying to get better and it has given us a few little windows to get out. Seems like once you are out there you will see some life. Of...
Missouri River Fishing Report-March 24th, 2024
Well here we go again. I think it's a prerequisite for me that if I'm coming home from Ice Fishing, we are gonna get hit with a blizzard. So, yes here we are again. I did get out a couple times before this storm. All indications are we will have a very good spring...
Interested in a Fishing Trip to the Missouri River, ND?
Give Mike a Call for a guided fishing trip!