Share your catch
US

Missouri River Fishing Report

Updated Fri, Oct 23, 2026 from live gauge and weather data

The Missouri below Garrison Dam: a tailrace that North Dakota Game and Fish says produces trophy trout, walleye and salmon, and a river reach with underused channel catfish.

4/5
Good. Solid day ahead.Stable-to-falling pressure and workable wind line things up.
Flow
13,100 cfs
Air / High
72 / 75 F
Wind
SSE 14 mph

Sources: USGS gauge 06342500, Open-Meteo, solunar calculated for these coordinates.

Satellite view
Friday
23
October 2026

Today's Fishing Report

Generated this morning from live readings: gauge, weather model, sun and moon. A fresh report is published here every morning.

4/5Good. Solid day ahead.Stable-to-falling pressure and workable wind line things up.

Missouri River feels the season turning: shorter days, grouping fish. The river is running 13,100 cfs, steady over the week. Today brings clear skies, wind SSE around 14 mph, falling pressure near 1003 hPa and a high of 75. Water sits around 55 F for the season (estimated). With the waxing gibbous, the solunar majors run 10:19 AM-12:19 PM and 10:50 PM-12:50 AM: the windows to build the day around.

The plan, species by species

WalleyeExcellent

Spring: post-spawn fish scatter and can be slow for a couple of weeks. Fall: one of the best windows, with minnows on jigs and three-way rigs as the water cools toward ice-up.

Northern pikeExcellent

The best band for pike: right after ice-out they move into flooded vegetated shallows to spawn, and they feed actively again as the water cools in fall.

Catfish (blue, channel)Excellent

In spring after ice-out, Iowa finds channel cats feeding on winter-killed shad on the shallow, warmer mudflats at the upper ends of reservoirs; cut bait on the bottom works there.

MuskellungeExcellent

This band covers the spring spawn, which in Wisconsin runs at 49-60°F; spawning muskies eat little and rarely chase lures, Wisconsin DNR says. After the spawn, and again as fall water cools, work large lures along weed edges and structure.

Rainbow troutExcellent

This band overlaps Vermont's 54-66°F stream preference: fish feed across riffles, runs and pocket water, and in lakes WDFW says spring and fall bring them near the surface.

Tomorrow: Cooler at 62 F. The solunar majors shift about 50 minutes later.Next report: Sat, Oct 24, 6:30 AMHow this report is made →

Before you go

North Dakota requires a fishing licence from age 16, from $29.00 for residents. What a North Dakota licence costs and where to buy it →

Chasing walleye here? Check the size and bag limits with NDGF before you keep anything. The season dates for North Dakota, read off the agency, are on the North Dakota seasons page.

Water and weather

Live readings from Missouri River at Bismarck.

Flow, last 30 days

USGS gauge 06342500.

12,62312,85013,07813,100 cfs09/2310/0310/1310/23

Today’s flow against 99 years of October 23

At 13,100 cfs, the flow at USGS gauge 06342500 (Missouri River at Bismarck) is at the 28th percentile for the date: normal. In half of the 99 years of approved record the daily mean on October 23 was below 16,000 cfs; the highest was 48,700 cfs and the lowest 6,970 cfs.

p10 10,100median 16,000p90 32,000

Percentiles of the daily mean flow for this date, from the USGS Water Data Statistics API for gauge 06342500; today’s reading is the latest instantaneous value. Classes follow the ones the USGS used on its WaterWatch maps (retired at the end of 2025): below 10th, much below normal; 10th–24th, below; 25th–75th, normal; 76th–90th, above; over 90th, much above.

Right now

Latest readings

Air temp72 F
High / Low75 / 56 F
WindSSE 14-26 mph
Pressure1002.6 hPa, falling
Sky / Rain5% cloud, 3%
Sunrise / Sunset08:12 / 18:41
MoonWaxing Gibbous, 91%
Water temp (gauge)58 F USGS
Water temp (seasonal)~55 F est.

Bite planner

Hour-by-hour bite forecast for today. Tap a bar to see why.

5 AM8 AM11 AM2 PM5 PM8 PMsunrisesunsetPRIMEPRIME

Which day to fish Missouri River this week

Today is the pick of the week on Missouri River, at 4 out of 5.

Best day this week: today, Oct 23 — good at 4/5, falling pressure, usually the best window of a week.

Today, Oct 23 — Good

Stable-to-falling pressure and workable wind line things up.

Solunar majors
10:19 AM-12:19 PM and 10:50 PM-12:50 AM
Minor period
4:43 AM-5:43 AM
Sun
08:12 to 18:41
Moon
Waxing Gibbous, 91% lit
Sky and wind
Overcast, 15 mph
Rain chance
3%

Forecast-based scores, less reliable further out: how the score is built.

Species guide

The species that matter on Missouri River: seasons, structure and how to fish each one. Today's ratings live in the report above.

Walleye illustration

Walleye

Best: spring and late fall, around dawn, dusk and night

A cool-water perch of large lakes, reservoirs and rivers whose reflective eyes are built for low light, so it feeds most at night and in murky water. The Missouri Department of Conservation ranks it among the continent's most important freshwater game fish. Spring: post-spawn fish scatter and can be slow for a couple of weeks. Fall: one of the best windows, with minnows on jigs and three-way rigs as the water cools toward ice-up.

Northern pike illustration

Northern pike

Best: cool water, from ice-out through spring, in fall and under the ice

A long, duck-billed predator of weedy lakes, slow rivers and backwaters that ambushes fish from vegetation. Wisconsin DNR points out that, unlike most of the state's common game fish, pike do their best feeding in cool water. The best band for pike: right after ice-out they move into flooded vegetated shallows to spawn, and they feed actively again as the water cools in fall.

Catfish (blue, channel) illustration

Catfish (blue, channel)

Year-round, best at dusk and after dark

Three big catfish share most of the country's rivers and reservoirs: the channel catfish, the most widespread; the blue catfish, the largest; and the flathead, which hunts live fish. All feed mostly on or near the bottom. In spring after ice-out, Iowa finds channel cats feeding on winter-killed shad on the shallow, warmer mudflats at the upper ends of reservoirs; cut bait on the bottom works there.

Muskellunge illustration

Muskellunge

Fished from late spring into late fall where seasons allow

Muskellunge are solitary, fish-eating ambush predators of the pike family, holding in weed beds and other cover in lakes and rivers of the Great Lakes, upper Mississippi and Ohio basins. This band covers the spring spawn, which in Wisconsin runs at 49-60°F; spawning muskies eat little and rarely chase lures, Wisconsin DNR says. After the spawn, and again as fall water cools, work large lures along weed edges and structure.

Rainbow trout illustration

Rainbow trout

Spring and fall in most lakes; rivers fish year-round while the water stays cool

A cold-water trout native to Pacific drainages from Alaska to Baja California, now stocked in most states and fished in rivers, tailwaters and lakes. This band overlaps Vermont's 54-66°F stream preference: fish feed across riffles, runs and pocket water, and in lakes WDFW says spring and fall bring them near the surface.

When to come: the Missouri River calendar

Activity by species and month, and how the water warms through the year. Tap any cell.

Species activity by month

1 = slow, 5 = peak. Current month highlighted.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Walleye
Northern pike
Catfish (blue, channel)
Muskellunge
Rainbow trout
SlowPeak

Water temperature through the year

Typical surface temperature for this water type; today is around 55 F (estimated, not a reading).

304050607080JanMarMayJulSepNovOct, ~55 F now

Angler reports

Real reports from real anglers, reviewed before publishing. The water log below tracks each day automatically.

No angler reports yet this weekBe the first: your report helps every angler who checks Missouri River today, and we feature the best catch of the week.

Water log, last days

Auto-logged from live data
Thu, Oct 22

2/5 Slow. Work for them. Conditions favor short windows and patient fishing. Muskellunge led the card at excellent. High of 78 F, wind to 11 mph.

Wed, Oct 21

2/5 Slow. Work for them. Conditions favor short windows and patient fishing. Muskellunge led the card at excellent. High of 65 F, wind to 8 mph.

Tue, Oct 20

4/5 Good. Solid day ahead. Stable-to-falling pressure and workable wind line things up. Walleye led the card at excellent. High of 72 F, wind to 11 mph.

Where roughly, what depth, what bait. Skip anything you want to keep secret.
Only used if we need to ask you about your report. No mailing list, no spam.

Before you go

License

North Dakota requires a valid fishing license for adults. Buy online from the state agency; one-day options exist for visitors.

Regulations

North Dakota fishing license (2026–2028 regulations): walleye, sauger and saugeye 5 a day, 10 in possession; northern pike 5/10; bass 5/10; salmon 5/10; trout 3/6; muskellunge 1, 48 in. minimum; channel catfish 20/40 west of ND Highway 1, 5 east of it with only one over 24 in. Pallid, shovelnose and lake sturgeon and paddlefish must be released immediately. Posted areas near the Garrison Dam Tailrace are closed to fishing.

Access

USGS gauge 06342500, Missouri River at Bismarck, reports flow and stage. Boat ramps were not verified on a Game and Fish page.

About this water

The Missouri River in central North Dakota from Garrison Dam past Bismarck and Mandan to Lake Oahe.

Fishing Missouri River: the full guide

Garrison Dam Tailrace

North Dakota Game and Fish's 2026 fishing waters report says the Garrison Dam Tailrace continues to produce trophy brown and rainbow trout and keeps a diverse quality fishery for walleye and salmon as well. It adds that the tailrace offers good fishing for smaller catfish, especially in summer. Areas near the tailrace that the Corps of Engineers posts are closed to fishing, and bow and spear fishing are closed on the Missouri from Garrison Dam downstream three miles to the southern boundary of the Corps' Downstream Recreational Area.

Walleye, salmon and catfish downstream

For the Missouri River and Lake Oahe, the department reports good to excellent walleye reproduction in recent years but short forage, so small walleye are abundant and tend to be in poor condition, while the system still gives chances at trophy-sized fish. Salmon fishing in the Missouri River System was good in 2025, with fish averaging about 7.5 pounds and larger ones near 16 pounds. South of Garrison Dam, it says channel catfish are abundant and underutilized throughout the reach.

Sturgeon and paddlefish must go back

Under North Dakota's 2026–2028 regulations, pallid sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon, lake sturgeon and paddlefish caught on hook and line must be released immediately into the water they came from, whatever their condition. Paddlefish snagging is legal only on the Yellowstone River and the Missouri west of the U.S. Highway 85 bridge, upstream of this reach.

Common questions

Is the Garrison Dam Tailrace worth fishing?

Game and Fish's 2026 report says it continues to produce trophy brown and rainbow trout and a diverse fishery for walleye and salmon. Posted areas near the dam are closed to fishing.

How many walleye can I keep on the Missouri?

Five walleye, sauger and saugeye combined per day and ten in possession under the statewide limits.

What if I catch a sturgeon or paddlefish?

Release it immediately. All three sturgeon species and paddlefish caught on hook and line must go back into the water, regardless of condition.

Is fishing good at Missouri River right now?

Check the daily report at the top of this page: it is regenerated every morning from live data. Today's read: Good. Solid day ahead. Stable-to-falling pressure and workable wind line things up.

Nearby waters

Nelson Lake28 miLake Tschida51 miLake Audubon57 miLake Ilo95 miPipestem Reservoir96 miLake Sakakawea97 mi

Where this page's numbers come from

River and reservoir readings
USGS 06342500 — Missouri River at Bismarck
Read from the USGS Water Data API (api.waterdata.usgs.gov). Latest value timestamped 2026-10-23 at 19:15 UTC.
Weather and pressure
Open-Meteo forecast model
Queried at 46.8200, -100.8000 in this water's own timezone. A model, not an observation.
Moon and solunar windows
Calculated on this site
Astronomical calculation from these coordinates and the date, not a third-party feed. How much weight it deserves.
Pages checked
The facts in the written guide were checked against these pages, from the agencies and operators that manage the water, on October 6, 2026. Anything we could not verify was taken out.
The written guide on this page
Pablo Ruiz Quintero
How this page was made. The daily report is computed by our scoring engine from live readings; nobody types it. The written text was drafted with AI assistance from the official pages listed above, and its facts were checked against those pages by automated verification on October 6, 2026; anything that could not be verified was taken out. Pablo Ruiz Quintero sets every guideline, the data-verification system and the minimum standards a page must meet to be published, reviews page structure and approves what goes live; the responsibility is his, and the AI carries out the work. We work this way because it is how one person can keep every page current with named sources. Errors are published in the verification log; the full policy is in the editorial policy.

Readings refresh on a 30-minute window. The full method, with every figure and its source, is on how our reports are made. Something wrong here? Tell us and it goes in the log with the date.