Dan - I just found this site and already feel more confident in my next fishing outing. Thanks for providing this educational service. Overview: I am primarily a bank fisherman. I fish the Missouri river at varying locations from Yankton, SD below the Dam to the channeled portion in the Sioux City area. I primarily use bottom rigs either an egg sinker, drop sinker or three way rig. I have been using 2 or 3oz sinkers to get the bait down and hold in the current. I’ve been varying the size of hooks and fish with night crawlers. I am planning to fish this weekend and try minnows. This generally yields species like carp, drum, skipjack and a rare catfish. Question: I want to expand on the species I am catching. In particular I would like to catch walleye. I know below the damn in Yankton, SD on the Missouri river they do catch walleye. I have seen boats not that far from the bank drifting and trolling yielding fish. It appears they are using different jigs with rubber worm bodies or tipped with minnows and rigs with minnows or crawler harnesses. I’ve seen a lot of different colors in these combinations used. Can these techniques be done from the bank successfully as you are stationary and not able to drift? Is there a technique that is better utilized from the bank? One issue I seem to worry about all the time is how much wieght should I use? The rivers current seems to be very strong and anything under 2oz does not seem to stay. Again thanks for providing this website, it is very educational and I plan on visiting often to improve my chances! Best Regards from a confused bank fisherman…

Actually, you don’t sound confused at all! You seem to have a very good handle on what you want to do and how to do it. I am happy you have found the site and are enjoying it! The truth is, you could not have chosen a better time to bank fish for walleye on the Missouri River in South Dakota. It is precisely at this time of year that the walleye are hugging the shores, just kind of lurking around, waiting for an easy meal. See, they can feel the weather turning colder, and are getting geared up for the months ahead when forage will not be as plentiful, and weather conditions could prevent them from getting close to the shore. As you suspected, you are going to have to use the lightest weights possible that will keep your line where you need it to be. A two ounce should do it, but if you can help it, don’t go any heavier. This time of year, when it comes to bank fishing for walleye, you really can’t beat. Crank baits. Give frogs and larger plastic baits a try, and don’t forget your jigs tipped with minnows for a presentation these hungry walleye are going to find hard to resist, particularly if you use a slow retrieve, and wounded minnow presentation. The natural aggression of the walleye is going to make it impossible for them to resist. If you find you really love fishing for walleye, give the Eastern border some attention if you get a chance, around Drayton, Pemina, and Grand Forks, there is some prime walleye fishing, and catching them from the bank is the preferred method in these areas! Happy fishing and good luck!