The river portion below Garrison is a jig-fisherman's paradise -- find the current breaks and you'll find fish. The walleyes are very current orientated and tend to bite best with moderate current. A lack of current shuts the bite off like a switch, and while any current break will hold fish, sandbars are the main focus. The fish are very spooky in the clear water and light line and light jigs work best. Let the current release from the dam dictate the size of jig used

By month's end, fishing from shore will be hot on Garrison's tailrace. Many times, shore anglers will actually outdo their counterparts in boats. Like any tailrace fishery, the first couple of hours after dark are prime time for fishing as the walleyes move very shallow. Casting plugs along the shoreline and working them back against the current is a great way to take fish.

Although it may be a while before anglers are able to access Lake Sakakawea, depending on weather conditions and ice-out, anglers should expect another productive year on the big lake. The No. 1 concern will be water levels and the problems associated with them.

"Access is top priority," says Terry Steinwand, North Dakota's Fisheries Chief. "We have made some gains, but we need a good shot of water in the system to help with access as well as protect our spawning game fish and forage."

A lot of quality walleyes were taken out of the system the past two years, and it should be a very good spring on the lake. Last year, fishing was better than expected and the fish were fat and healthy. The walleyes have been crowded to some extent by the lower water levels, and they have put a dent in the available forage, leaving a lot of fish looking for an easy meal.

"We should see a good spring on the lake," says Steinwand. "But there is concern for the latter part of the year and beyond if we do not get some water back into the system."

Walleyes have been stocked in a number of locations on the system because of poor spawning results, but the stockers can't hold a candle to the real thing. A declining smelt population is also of concern to officials. While this is going to be a great spring on the lake, every problem or concern from here on can be remedied by a surplus of moisture coming into the system.

Last year, fishing pressure on the big lake was down from 20 to 30 percent. That was primarily due to negative press on the low water conditions and assumptions made about access. The state does a great job of providing boat access and there is still a lot of water out there. Many anglers thought last year was one of the best on Sakakawea. This year's fishing should follow along those same lines. The walleye is king when it comes to fishing in the Dakotas, and as we enter into the first inning of the season that is upon us, there will be triumphs in one fishery and concerns in the next. As fisheries like Waubay and Devils Lake swell with water, their counterparts along the Missouri River lie begging for water, reinforcing the diversity of the Plains.

While each walleye fishery in the Dakotas will face its own challenges and rewards during the upcoming season, I can't think of a better place to be on a sunny April day than on the boat with a light wind at my back while I'm looking for the Big One. See you on the water!