Dakota Recreation Report- July 1, 2019

Outdoor notes:

*Fireworks prohibited on N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Wildlife Mgmt. Areas and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Nat’l. Wildlife Refuges and Waterfowl Production Areas.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, June 25: 1,449.15 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.09 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,851.71 MSL; 44,700 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Goose Lake remains good for walleye but sort through small fish for keepers. Some walleye success at Lake Coe. Devils Lake good for white bass. Try Channel A, Highway 19, junction of Highway 57 and Highway 20, or north end of Creel Bay. Somewhat improving walleye success around the Minnewaukan Flats. Catfish spawn is underway on the Red River. Work drop-offs, current on the edges of cut banks, and be patient using cut suckers or goldeyes. No reports from other area lakes or the Missouri River System.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good for walleye with good white bass success. Try slip bobbers and leeches or bottom bouncers for walleye.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Walleye success remains inconsistent, although the summer pattern is starting depending on weather. Try spinners and bottom bouncers along the weed lines.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Improving walleye success throughout the Minnewaukan Flats using jigs and nightcrawlers.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Best walleye success remains in the evening and after dark. Water is still quite clear. Try slip bobbers and nightcrawlers in less than 10 feet.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Fair but scattered walleye success throughout many area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Lots of activity throughout area lakes using a mix of nightcrawlers, leeches and minnows.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Fair for walleye throughout much of the lake from shore and boat. Try twister tails or crankbaits in the evening or spinners and bottom bouncers with a variety of bait during day. Work along the channel edges. Overall good bass and crappie success. Some perch success but it’s quality more son than quantity.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Fair for a mix of walleye and perch with good bass success.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait and Tackle, Garrison: Douglas Bay remains fair for walleye with some activity at Garrison, deTrobriand, and Steinke bays in 12 to 17 feet on Lake Sakakawea. Also try Mallard Island, Wolf Creek, or east end embankment. Try Lindy rigs with minnows or nightcrawlers. Some success starting with leeches. Work deeper with crankbaits. No Lake Audubon reports.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Water temperatures are warming with improving walleye success. Still a little inconsistent, however, but fish are moving east and beginning to show up in the main lake. Start switching to nightcrawlers but mix it up with crankbaits. A lot of anglers still pitching jigs.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River continues producing walleye down river using jigs and minnows. Also try crankbaits or Lindy rigs and nightcrawlers or plastics. Water clarity is poor with spillway gate water releases. Some catfish in the chutes. Some shore success from the rocks for both catfish and walleye. East end of Lake Sakakawea and Douglas Bay hit-and-miss for walleye with some nice catches and other times slow success. Try Lindy rigs or slow death hooks and nightcrawlers in 16 feet. Also try pitching jigs.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Continued good walleye success in the morning and evening throughout area lakes, including Goose, Richards, Hurdsfield-Tuffy, and Hinsz, along with numerous pike. Perch remain elusive, however.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Some activity but limited reports.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not many new reports.

*Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Fair for smallmouth bass.

*Spiritwood Lake, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Fair to good bass success.

N.D. rivers:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 2.08 feet; streamflow, 3.37 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 2.22 feet; streamflow, 101 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks, River stage, 18.03 feet; streamflow, 5,470 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 4.23 feet; streamflow, 330 CFS.

Numbers to know:

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

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