Fishing Has Continued to Improve Up and Down the Missouri

Fishing has continued to improve up and down the Missouri River system. Lake Sakakawea is producing better numbers of walleye, depending on location and time. Reports from the Missouri River show good success for a number of species from the Tailrace to the South Dakota state line.

There are 17 usable or marginal boat ramps open on Lake Sakakawea: Beulah Bay, Camp of the Cross, Dakota Waters, Deepwater Bay, Douglas Bay, Fort Stevenson State Park, Four Bears, Garrison Creek, Government Bay, Indian Hills, McKenzie Bay, Sakakawea State Park, Skunk Bay, Sportsmen Centennial, Van Hook Arm, White Earth Bay and Wolf Creek.

There are 18 usable and marginal boat ramps on the Missouri River between Garrison Dam and the South Dakota state line. They are: The Tailrace, Stanton, Washburn, Sanger, Steckel (Wilton), Hoge’s, Kniefel Landing, Grant Marsh, Fox Island, Little Heart Bottoms, Kimball Bottoms, Graner’s Bottoms, MacLean Bottoms, Hazelton, Fort Rice, North Beaver Bay, Walker Bottoms and Jennerville (Rivery).

Andrus Outdoors, Dickinson (Lake Sakakawea, area lakes): Fishing was good on Lake Sakakawea. McKenzie and Mossett bay areas produced walleye at depths between 8 and 17 feet on Lindys and minnows and some leeches. Lots of nice fish taken at Skunk Bay as well, from depths of 17 to 20 feet. Water is little dirtier, but still fair for walleye. Camel’s Hump is good for trout. Dickinson Dike is excellent for trout. Odland Dam is producing perch, bluegill and small pike. Lake Ilo is fair for pike.

Cenex Bait and Tackle-Rodger’s Guide Service, Garrison (Lake Sakakawea-Lake Audubon): Fishing has been good between weather systems. On Lake Sakakawea, walleye can be found from 5 to 12 feet out, using jigs and rigs. Lake Audubon is fair for walleye and some northern pike and smallmouth bass. Go down 15 to 25 feet during the day and go shallow in the evening.

Dakota Tackle, Bismarck (Missouri River, Tailrace, Lake Oahe, area lakes): Missouri River is good for walleye from Tailrace to South Dakota, averaging about a pound and a half. Jigs and crawlers or jigs and minnows work best. Catching pike and walleye on Lake Josephine. Nelson Lake is good for bass. Fly-fishing is difficult due to dirty water. Sweet Briar is slow. Crooked Lake producing lots of smaller pike.

Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City (Lake Sakakawea, Lake Audubon, Tailrace, Missouri River): On Lake Sakakawea, activity has been spotty. On the east end, activity is best on the north side pitching jigs in the shallows. The Tailrace and Missouri River have slowed. The north shore of Lake Audubon is decent. Numbers are still are down as far as anglers on the water, but they are slowing coming up.

- Scooter PursleyThe following fields overflowed:PAGE = 1C 2C 3C 4C

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