Bloemendaal Guide Service

05/11/2026

New video going live at 5:00 PM. No history, no waypoints, just breaking down a new lake from scratch. The water on Sakakawea has been a little chilly lately, so I wanted to try a smaller, local deal for a change of pace and wound up pleasantly surprised!

On another note, the forecast is starting to go in the right direction, so hopefully we get an increase in activity on Sakakawea this week or next. If anyone wants to book a tentative trip for May, I have some openings, and I can always keep you informed with how the bite develops and adjust as necessary if it would be best to wait a few days to get on the better action.

Likewise, I have two small slots of prime days open for June, the 4th and the 5th, and the 7th through the 10th. Depending on how they fill in, I will more than likely block one or two of those days off of the schedule at some point, but if those dates work for any of you, I'm keeping it all open as of now for the sake of flexibility. Explore Garrison, ND

05/05/2026

Just had a cancellation for June 20-21 this year if anyone is interested in taking those dates and getting on some walleyes at Lake Sakakawea. Should be prime-season fishing! Also, once we get a few warm days, this post-spawn bite should start going really soon (May 10 is likely a good target), and I have some openings yet for May if anyone wants to get out throwing some jigs this spring.

05/03/2026

When I arrived in Garrison on April 16, I was pumped to chase some big pre-spawn walleyes on Sakakawea. A few days later, I was just happy to have a functioning boat, fishable weather, and a courtesy dock. Thankfully I've got all the kinks worked out now for the guiding season, but that first week was a wild ride. I did get three days of solid fishing to see how the water looked and get some fish dialed in before the spawn. If nothing else this video might be helpful for those curious on how lake Sakakawea is setting up this year and perhaps provide some entertainment along the way. Link to the video in the comments below. Explore Garrison, ND

04/28/2026

More ramp and dock updates, did the south shore tour a couple of days ago with my buddy Randy Belisle of Ripping Lips Adventures.

Sakakawea 2026 South Shore Boat Launch Update

04/26/2026

First open water video of the year, starting on the Missouri River by Bismark, and I had a blast with my buddy Kent Yancey of Big Muddy Guide Service. That guy knows so much about fishing the river, and he's sure to teach you a lot in this one.

14 likes, 2 comments. "Big Muddy Walleye Lessons | 40 Years on the Missouri River"

04/21/2026

Went out a couple of days ago, checking Lake Sakakawea boat ramp conditions with my buddy Ripping Lips Adventures, and he put together a great video resource for all those looking for a good launch point this spring!

1 like. "Sakakawea Boat Launch Update"

04/06/2026

We are going to be dealing with some lower water levels than the last couple of years on lake Sakakawea. I had posted a report about a week ago that the current elevation is 1827 (23 feet below full) and the forecasted peak by the Corps of Engineers was 1835 by July. They recently revised that forecast down to 1831, so we're only expecting about a 4 foot rise unless we get a major snow or rain event next few months.

That said, we started the spring of 2023 several feet lower, and while some of the access points were out of play, we still had a fantastic year and didn't miss any time on the water. We will again have some access restrictions at the start of the season, but there will still be plenty of locations to get out safely.

I should also note there are a couple of positive aspects to lower water. First of all, fish will inevitably become more concentrated and easier to find, especially considering we have historically high walleye numbers. Second, if we get normal spring weather, the water temperatures should rise quicker and kick the post-spawn bite into gear in short order. So for those of you who enjoy that shallow jig casting operation, look towards that May 10th calendar date as a real possibility. And if you want to do that through a guided experience, give me a call or shoot me a message; I'd love to have you aboard! Explore Garrison, ND

03/26/2026

The lake Sakakawea spring preview fishing report is hot off the press with all the good stuff you want to know about the upcoming season! Explore Garrison, ND

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 & AccessCurrent 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 acc...

03/23/2026

Ever had a "crazy bite" suddenly go cold? That’s exactly what happened during this scouting trip last November. A cold front moved in, the rain started falling, and the walleyes got incredibly finicky.

Instead of staring at a screen trying to force a fish to bite, I did something different: I turned off the Forward Facing Sonar.

I wanted to keep my head up and rely on my guiding instincts to solve the puzzle. In this new video, I’m taking you inside my "Mental Lab" to show you exactly how I experiment with every variable when the conditions get funky.

The link to the full video is in the first comment below!

Also, the weather is warming and the 2026 season is right around the corner. If you want to get on the water with Bloemendaal Guide Service this year and see these strategies in action, now is the time to get on the calendar.

Message me here or visit bloemendaalfishing.com to secure your dates!

Explore Garrison, ND

03/13/2026

Hanging out at the Minot Sports Show for a couple days. Stop by and chat fish!

🚨 Office Closed This Weekend! 🚨

Our office will be closed, but you can still find us out and about! Be sure to stop by and visit Rachael at the KX Sport Show in Minot this Friday–Sunday. 🎣

Joining her at the booth Friday & Saturday will be fishing guide Brett Bloemendaal Guide Service, so it’s a great chance to chat fishing, learn more about Garrison, and say hello!

Rachael will still be checking emails and voicemails as she’s able, so feel free to reach out if you need anything.

If you're at the show, make sure to stop by and see us! 👋

03/03/2026

Starting to feel that itch again with open water not far off.

There’s something about that first stretch of the season — relearning the spots after water level changes, figuring fish out again, and watching people light up when it finally clicks for them. That part never gets old.

I’ll be guiding again this open water season like usual. If you’ve ever thought about getting out for a day on the water — whether to learn more, dial things in, or just enjoy a day on the water and take home some tasty fillets — I'd love to have you aboard.

Walleye numbers look strong again, and that massive year class of 15 inchers last year have plenty of smelt to grow them to our bread-and-butter 18 inchers for 2026...plus there's always a chance at a big old personal best!

Here are a few photo highlights from the year that was 2025. Later, fisher people! Explore Garrison, ND