Sakakawea Preview 2026

As we shake off the winter of 2026, it’s time to look at the data and see what’s in store for the "Big Lake" this season.

Water Levels & Access

Current elevation is sitting at 1,827, which is a bit of a throwback to the spring of 2023 when we dipped down to 1,823. What this means for you: Ramp access will be the primary hurdle early on. Some of the ramps I typically rely on won’t be accessible until we get some runoff.

The good news? The mountain snowpack is currently 80–90% of normal for the current year-to-date, and the U.S. Corps of Engineers is forecasting a peak of 1,835 in July. With April often acting as a "wildcard" month for heavy snow, a 3–5 foot rise is a safe bet, and we could easily jump higher if a big storm hits. We’ll be tracking a bit lower than last year, so keep an eye on those silt-removal updates after ice-out.

Link to Corps of Engineers snowpack measurements: https://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/reports/snow.pdf

The Walleye Outlook

The "bread and butter" of our guiding service is looking incredibly healthy. While we aren’t at absolute record highs, walleye numbers are firmly in the upper quartile of historic records. Last year, 15-inch fish made up a large part of our limits, especially with four-person groups. This year, those fish should be in that 17–18 inch "sweet spot"—perfect for the frying pan and a fun fight.

Rainbow smelt numbers and average size are both UP from last year. This is the engine that drives growth on Sakakawea; bigger smelt means faster-growing walleyes. At the same token it could fill up fish and make them harder to temp into biting if you are not on the pulse every day. That said, weather plays a big role as well. If we get a warmer June than last year, I'd expect a hot bite.

The pre-spawn window can be hard to time, but I'll be around for the last minute calls if the conditions set up properly. Then typically by about May 10 or 15th we can expect the post-spawn bite to build in earnest. So if you enjoy the early jig casting bites, don't overlook the last two weeks of May and keep late April in the back of your mind.

Ice-Out Predictions

It's a tale of two lakes right now. A week ago, we still had 30 inches of ice in Deepwater Bay, but there's some open water by the Casino in New Town. With the recent warm stretch, I’m not expecting a record-early ice-out, but I don't think we'll be stuck on shore until mid-May either. I’m optimistic we’ll have the boat wet by late April, but it's such a guessing game depending on how warm it gets the next couple weeks. So it's a prediction, but I'm not taking it to Vegas anytime soon.

Scaling Your Success: New Masterclass Videos on Patreon

This year I'm adding a new service to the Patreon setup. I still have the subscription tiers with fishing reports and other perks, but they're now complimented with a series of "pay-per-view" deep-dive videos that can be purchased individually. I want to help you become a better angler even when you aren't fishing with me. So far there are two videos, one built on understanding walleye patterns on reservoirs, and the other a complete guide to all the gear that I use for an entire season. I should also note that the subscription members get heavy discounts on those videos, so you could save yourself some money making it a package deal. If you're looking for the masterclass videos, they'll be located on the "Shop" tab on the Patreon page:

Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/bloemendaalfishing

2026 Guide Service Bookings

Rates remain unchanged for the 2026 season, but the preferred dates are starting to fill up. If you want to get on the water and see these strategies in action—whether it's just for a fun day of fishing or to enhance your fishing skills through education—get ahold of me soon to secure your dates.

Let’s get the juices flowing with a few videos from the vault. Here’s to a safe and successful 2026!