By Mike Peluso

Lots of changes are happening out here with the walleyes on the Missouri River near Bismarck. The biggest of those has been water temperatures due to the changes in weather.

In the early part of last week things were good with slowly climbing water temperatures. In fact, I kept hearing of a few walleyes that were spawning already. Later last week however, the temperature dropped pretty drastically and has definitely slowed down the spawning process. Unfortunately, the waters are warming and they are back into the spawning mood.

No matter what, these fish don’t all spawn at the same time. We will see three different waves of it. It’s crazy, but you can almost set a watch to this in the spring, no matter what.

The walleyes in the southern stretches of the river have been a lot more consistent. When you start to get closer to Bismarck, and the water is cooler and extremely clear, the bite has been difficult at times.

We are seeing some of those bigger hens starting to pull up on the shallow sand. When conditions are right, jigs and plastics will shine in this scenario. I am so proud of most folks that are catching those big girls and throwing them back. Hats off!

I think things are really going to heat up here top to bottom these next two weeks. The water is going to continue to rise and the fish will just get more active.

It’s hard to believe we are already nearing the end of April. My days really start to blend together. That’s why this report is a day late – I literally forgot about it being so busy fishing! It’s a tough problem to have.

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: Moving on Up.  Large female walleyes are beginning to stage shallower for the spawn on the Missouri River.  Anglers can connect with larger plastic-and-jig combinations. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.