Missouri River near Bismarck

[Hawgeye]

I would like to fish the Missouri this weekend and wonder how far I need to travel away from Bismarck to find any good fishing or river access for that matter. I will be travelling from West Fargo and the lakes are all still frozen over.

I am not real familiar with the different places but used to fish the Hazelton ramp area when the water was higher. How are the water conditions and do you recommend that this weekend will have decent access? Any suggestions?

[Hawgeye Unlogged]

Why no comments? Hasn't anyone been fishing? I want to go there this weekend with my son and I haven't been there for years. Should I pass? Where is a good bait shop to pick up bait and fishing reports?

Any help would be appreciated.

[undguy]

Hawgeye

Fishing has been steady from almost to the SD border up to Stanton. The Hazelton ramp is unusable. I would suggest putting in at Ft. Rice or the Rifle Range ramp and fishing that area. That has been the most consistent - lots of 18" to 20" fish. Find 7' to 12' in slack water above or below a sand bar. Jigs or Lindys - some guys are using some cranks, but live bait is better. The males are not sperming yet, so the bite should be good for awhile. Give me a call if you want more info. 471-0557.

[Hawgeye Unlogged]

UNDGuy,

Thanks tons for the input! I appreciate the help. Do you recommend a bait shop in the areas that you mentioned? I can always find bait but since I am traveling from Fargo in a one day trip, I'd like to conserve my time as much as possible.

My son is 14 and plays on a travelling baseball team that plays around 70 games in the summer so our fishing time is limited. Usually by now him and I get out to Waubay or some other SD or ND lake before he gets into his season. This may be my last good chance for the spring!

[Hawgeye unlogged]

Is the Rifle range the same as Maclean bottoms that is like 14 miles south of Bismarck?

[undguy]

>Is the Rifle range the same as Maclean bottoms that is like
>14 miles south of Bismarck?

That's the one. Runway Express is on Airport Road on 1804 on the south end of Bismarck on your way to the Rifle Range. They have a good bait selection as well as chicken and sandwiches. Good luck.

[Hawgeye Unlogged]

UNDGUY

I owe you a beer!! Thanks for your help!!

[undguy]

Hawgeye

So how did it go? My son and I were out Saturday morning in town in Bismarck and only caught 3 - a couple 20s and a 16. A lot of guys seem to think the fish are in the spawn and have turned off some. I hope you did better. By the way, I can relate to the baseball thing. My 14 year old is a hockey player playing select hockey, so we are pretty busy all summer too. We do find some time to fish, though.

[Hawgeye Unlogged]

We got to the Maclean (Rifle Range) about 11am and fished until 6. We went South and fished along the banks where the water was slack (outside turn actually) and right away picked up (2) 24" eyes! Couldn't find another for a couple hours so I tried to go farther downriver. Found a sand bar or two as I was Idling...no biggee, what are 14 year olds for?? He jumped out and gave a little push and we were free...hehe. They love to wear basketball shorts and sweats so what a perfect situation!!

We decided to head back to the dock and fished for a little while boats were loading and unloading and lo and behold picked up (2) 20" eyes.

My depth finder read 46 degree water so I would imagine things are beginning for the spawn.

All in all it was a nice day to get out for the first time of the year. Didn't break anything and caught a few fish. We had a good day and although we didn't hammer the eyes, we are going to eat some freshly caught walleyes today!

Thanks for your help and if you are ever in Fargo playing Hockey, give me a post, I'll buy ya a cold one!