By Mike Peluso

The fall walleye fishing is improving slowly but surely out here on the Missouri River and Lake Oahe just south of Bismarck. The migrating fish coming out of Oahe are slowly trickling up the river right now; not in huge numbers, but they are definitely moving. 

I think we are almost on track to see at least a decent bite right around the deer opener.  That has always been my benchmark for when the fall river bite really gets going.   Some years unfortunately we get a blizzard and it’s game over.  

We are seeing plenty of fish on the electronics along with a ton of baitfish.  The fish we do catch right now are nothing short of fat and very healthy looking.  All signs point to a healthy Lake Oahe especially down into South Dakota right now.  Those giants we see in the spring are being caught right now in that area south of the state line.  

Right now, closer to home, we are picking up some nice fish and perfect eater-sized walleyes.  Jigs and minnows are what we are using right now with a mix of vertical presentation or pitching downstream and working the offering back slowly.  Both presentations are catching fish. 

It looks like the weather is going to be stable here for a couple of weeks.  If you are looking to get out let me know, as I have openings available! 

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: Consistently Coming Up. The fall walleye bite is starting to materialize, with good numbers of quality fish moving upriver from Lake Oahe into the Missouri River around Bismarck.  DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.