By Mike Peluso

It’s been an interesting week for walleyes on the Missouri River. Saturday the flow played host to the annual Big Muddy fishing tournament.  This event marks that point in the season where I’m nearing the end of my spring guiding. 

I would love it if the springs would last forever.  It’s one of my favorite times of the year, and I’m sure a lot of you would agree, thankfully though I still have two more weeks before I head up to Devils Lake. 

There are a lot of changes going on out in the river when it comes to our walleyes.  We have fish that have spawned, we have fish that are spawning, we have fish that are close and we have fish just arriving to spawn.  Along with all of this we are seeing a little bit of a bait run as well.  

All these factors have made for some interesting fishing.  This past week we did see another push of those mega giants and I had three different clients catch personal best walleyes this week!  This is the most exciting thing for me as a guide.

I would expect to see some big fish caught yet this week and right after that the males will go bonkers! It should make for some fun fishing in the coming days.  

If you are pursuing a really big fish this week I would suggest fishing at night.  Those big girls can be fickle during the daytime.  You can see them on your electronics but sometimes getting them to eat is a difficult task.  Under the moonlight you’ll be amazed what they will do!

Jigs and minnows, jigs and plastics, and shallow running cranks are all presentations which will keep you busy out there this week.  I still have a few scattered Devils Lake trips and Sakakawea trips open this summer.  Get ahold of me if you are looking for a great day on the water!

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 Through.  Groups of larger walleyes have been pushing up the Missouri River and through the Bismarck area of the flow in recent days. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.