By Mike Peluso

It’s that time of year for me to start probing the Missouri River near Bismarck.  Right now the water is low and boat ramp access is sketchy at best.  It’s going to make for an interesting fall. 

I’m starting up my guide trips here actually a tad earlier this year.   I’m not sure how things will go, but it’s definitely fun to be back on the Mighty Mo. 

I haven’t been able to fish a ton quite yet.  I’ve been busy trying to get a really good and safe trail through the sand and logs that are present right now.  

The little I did fish, however, I was able to catch a few so I’m fairly optimistic to get going.  I’m also seeing lots of bait already and usually the walleyes are not very far away! 

We are going to experience some difficulty getting boats in.  A few ramps are already unusable and a couple are within inches of being unusable in the area around Bismarck shortly.  Losing the one ramp in Bismarck this spring has really changed things up.  It the old saying: you never knew what you had until it’s gone.  

I have dates available mostly during the week days now until freeze up.  If you want to save yourself the hassle of loading and unloading and trying to navigate the Missouri River for some big fall walleyes, get ahold of me!  The heavy lifting is already done! 

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

Featured Photo: Fall Looming Large.  While challenges exist to getting on the waters of the Missouri River this fall, big walleyes are in the forecast for the season. DEO Photo by Mike Peluso.