Dakota Recreation Report: Sept. 24, 2018

Outdoor notes:

*Beware of blue-green algae on area lakes and wetlands with weather and water conditions prime for the deadly toxin growth. Keep dogs out of any questionable water because it’s deadly and death can occur rapidly.

*No baiting allowed on Fish and Wildlife Nat’l. Wildlife Refuges, Waterfowl Production Areas or Game and Fish Dept. Wildlife Mgmt. Areas.

*Be careful of upland species identification with immature pheasants yet.

*Sept. 29: Tundra swan season opens.

*Sept. 29: Nonresident waterfowl season opens.

*Sept. 29 - 30: Youth pheasant season.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Sept. 17: Data unavailable.

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.50 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,844.60 MSL; 34,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Decent white bass success on Devils Lake with spotty walleye activity. Lots of small walleye, yet. Limited activity on smaller area lakes. Red River catfish success slowed with inconsistent air temperatures. Look for improving success with stable temperatures and river flows. Larger fish coming from the shallows and off the edges of the current. Be patient and work areas for 20 to 30 minutes before moving. Try frogs for larger fish and frozen cut bait for eater-sized catfish around the Grand Forks area. No Missouri River System reports.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued small walleye success in 18 to 25 feet around Grahams Island. Look for some perch activity, as well.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Good numbers of small walleye but work weeds for bigger fish.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Small walleye success continues.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Lots of small walleye. Start around 10 feet and work out deeper with spinners and bottom bouncers and nightcrawlers but look for improving activity around the rock piles and towers using jigs.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Limited activity on area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Look for a bit of a fall bite on area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Some early fall activity on area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Continued smallmouth bass success from shore and off the docks with several nice-sized fish coming in. Try jigging off the rocks around the bridges for walleye from shore or spinners and bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers or minnows from boats. Fair for crappie.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Light and limited activity.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Activity slowed on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Work a variety of depths and presentations with fish scattered. No Missouri River or Lake Audubon reports.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Bait shop closed but lodging and camping still available .

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River remains fair for walleye from boats during the day. Try jigs and minnows or Lindy rigs and nightcrawlers around the Spillway Inlet Channel, honey hole, or cable crossing. Also try crankbaits. Some activity in the chutes for a mix of salmon and walleye using 3-way swivels. Limited trout numbers. Some walleye from the honey hole from shore or along the rocks at night. Lake Sakakawea slow for walleye with most success using jigging Raps in 50 feet. Salmon anglers finding catfish when down rigging for salmon. Try a variety of depths for salmon - anything from shallow from shore to deep water from boats depending on time of day and temperatures. Look for a switch to shore success only as temperatures cool.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Not much activity.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Not many reports.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No reports.

*Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: No new reports.

*Spiritwood Lake, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Little activity.

Hunting:

*Deer: Some archery and youth season activity.

*Doves: Some birds still around throughout most areas of the state.

*Waterfowl: Good duck numbers throughout must of east-central N.D. and the Devils Lake but scattered numbers of local Canada geese. Nice numbers of local Canada geese around north-central N.D. Lots of dry wetlands in many areas.

Numbers to know:

*N.D. Game and Fish Department, Devils Lake office: (701) 662-3617.

*N.D. Game and Fish Department, Jamestown office: (701) 253-6480.

*Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121 or (701) 328-9921.