The 2026 Upper Missouri paddlefish season is officially underway, but the river has decided to keep things interesting by playing a bit of a waiting game. While anglers are eager to get their lines in the water, current conditions have forced a shift in strategy for anyone looking to land a trophy this week. Here is the latest intel from the front lines on where the fish are hiding and how the river’s stubborn flow is dictating the game plan for the coming weekend.
by Biologist Cody Nagel
As we approach the second full weekend of the 2026 season on the upper Missouri, flows remain low and will likely keep paddlefish concentrated at downstream locations.
Currently, flows at the Landusky stream gauge are 6400 cfs and paddlefish can be found in areas downstream of Rock Creek campground to the headwaters of Fort Peck. Typically, flows of 10-15,000 cfs are needed to bring fish up to the Fred Robinson bridge area.
So far, snagging activity has been light but I expect this to increase as we approach each weekend, and some paddlefish have been reported as harvested so far.
Photo via FWP