Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Sep to Jun
Check Price Maker's PageRivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Upper Missouri River (North Dakota) Fishing Guide
North Dakota
The Missouri River from Williston to the Montana line, above Lake Sakakawea: a spring and fall fishery for sauger and walleye, where North Dakota Game and Fish says channel catfish are abundant.
Part of the Missouri River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Upper Missouri River (North Dakota) for walleye, channel catfish and sauger. No agency season found for the species here.
There is 1 shop nearby, including Sportsman's Warehouse Williston in Williston. Also nearby: the Yellowstone River (North Dakota).
Season at a Glance
No agency season found for these fish here.
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a North Dakota fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Parts of the Missouri River
- Main PageMissouri RiverThe Missouri River in North Dakota: a spring and fall sauger and walleye fishery above Lake Sakakawea near Williston, a tailrace below Garrison Dam with trophy brown and rainbow trout, and a walleye river between Garrison Dam and Lake Oahe at Bismarck.
- Rivers & Streams · North Dakota · You're HereUpper Missouri River (North Dakota)The Missouri River from Williston to the Montana line, above Lake Sakakawea: a spring and fall fishery for sauger and walleye, where North Dakota Game and Fish says channel catfish are abundant.
- Rivers & Streams · North DakotaMissouri River (Garrison Dam Tailrace)The Missouri River directly below Garrison Dam, where North Dakota Game and Fish says the tailrace continues to produce trophy brown and rainbow trout and a diverse quality fishery for walleye and salmon.
- Rivers & Streams · North DakotaMissouri River (Bismarck)A walleye river between Garrison Dam and Lake Oahe.
Upper Missouri River (North Dakota) Species
Species per ND Game and Fish.
Images: Timothy Knepp and Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Walleye
No agency season found
No fly setup listed for walleye; see Spin / Cast.
Spin / Cast
7 to 8 ft medium casting rod and line-counter reel for trolling crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers and deep crankbaits, 10 to 12 lb line. For jigging, a 6.5 ft medium-light rod with 10 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodSt. Croix Eyecon Trolling Rod · 7 ft 6 in or 8 ft 6 in, medium, moderate, 10 to 20 lb line (telescopic)Check Price
- ReelOkuma Magda Pro Line Counter Reel · size 20, right handCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 10 or 12 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/8 to 3/8 ozJig and Minnow · Northland Fire-Ball JigCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitAfter dark.Check Price
- Lure for November · 4 to 7 inPaddle-Tail SwimbaitSee Options
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Upper Missouri River (North Dakota):
- Sportsman's Warehouse Williston, WillistonWebsite
Map of Upper Missouri River (North Dakota)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
No agency season found for the species here.
Daylight
Loading…
Moon
Loading…
Typical Weather
38°F high, 17°F low
About 0.7 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
13,610 cfs
Most years 8,539 cfs to 20,090 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 5 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 06330000, 1928 to 1965.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Northland Rock-Runner Bottom Bouncer
A bottom bouncer with a 10 in stainless steel wire feeler that glides over rocks, logs and weeds, for drifting and trolling spinner rigs and live bait for walleyes.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks designed to set in the corner of a fish's mouth, for fresh and saltwater bait fishing.
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jul to Aug
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Upper Missouri River (North Dakota)
Source: NDGF Fishing Facilities. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
