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
Ice Fishing Report-ND Jan. 11th, 2019
So believe it or not, the winter fish for some reason react to cold fronts or I should say, are affected by cold fronts much harder than the summer in my opinion. The pressure changes seem to just play havoc on all species of fish. Some more than others, but the...
Lake Oahe Fishing Report-Jan-7th, 2019
It’s been an interesting year on the ice so far this winter. We seem to be jamming all the seasons into a week. Cold, super cold, super warm, back to cold in such short windows of time. This raises hell with the ice, ridges, snow drifts and the bite. I will say this,...
Lake Oahe Crappie Fishing Report-Jan 5th, 2019
Lake Oahe has become a world class fishery in my humble opinion. The whole system from the state line all the way to the Garrison Dam Tailrace has opportunities of catching State Record Class fish. Over the years it has become a trophy Northern Pike fishery with Pike...
Ice and an Ice Fishing Report-Dec. 16th, 2018
Well, I think November and December may have gotten their signals crossed. It seems our weather has turned to the better for some and not so much for others. With highs near the 50's we are certainly not building much ice. In fact, I had to pull my...
Ice Fishing and Ice Report-December 7th, 2018
Well, had a couple guys back up at Sakakawea checking on ice for the spear shacks. Happy to say we have one spear shack set up and I will be bringing another one out this weekend. So if your interested in booking a day or two of Dark House Spearing we will be ready...
The Open Water-Headed to Ice Fishing
I’m sad to say that my open water season is officially closed. It’s been an unreal fishing season! We have seen history being made right here on the Missouri River near Bismarck. A new state record walleye is in the books. I’ve been saying this all summer but I truly...
Interested in a Fishing Trip to the Missouri River, ND?
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