By Mike Peluso

What a start to the fall walleye fishing so far here in North Dakota! It really doesn’t seem to matter where you are angling, the fishing has been fantastic!

Now obviously not all bodies of water are created equal. Some just have better potential than others. This fall I have spent the bulk of my fishing on both the Missouri near Bismarck and Lake Sakakawea if the weather has been decent.

Other anglers, including some of the guys I work with, have been doing great on Devils Lake and also way down south closer to the South Dakota border.

The one thing I’ll say is we are spoiled here in North Dakota. We owe a lot to the ND Game and Fish Department for their hard work and dedication to these bodies of water. It is simply incredible how good we have it right now.

For baits and presentation, it’s been nothing special as far as how I’ve been fishing. I have been using jigs and minnows on both Sakakawea and the Missouri River to connect with walleyes. Luckily, it’s my favorite way to catch fish. I’m sure any other technique would work well right now also.

It looks like mother nature’s going to give us a little more time to enjoy the open water season. So, if you haven’t put your boat away yet, you may want to take a road trip to your favorite body of water. Chances are it’s going good!

Mike Peluso is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and a licensed ND fishing guide specializing in walleyes on the state’s premier waters.

Featured Photo: Beyond a Shadow.  Walleye fishing remains excellent across the region as an extended fall has sustained a strong bite. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.