Dakota Recreation Report- July 22, 2019

Outdoor Notes:

*Remember North Dakota’s ANS prevention regulations and remove all drain plugs prior to leaving boat ramps.

*Registration now open for fall Wild Outdoor Women Weekend, Lake Metigoshe State Park Sept. 13 – 15. Contact Amy Schimetz, [email protected] or call, (701) 264-4514 for more information or register at (http://bit.ly/2019FallWOW).

Tournaments:

*July 27: Devils Lake (2).

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, July 17: 1,448.91 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.01 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,852.2 MSL; 46,200 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: East-central area lakes getting into the summer doldrums and slowing. Continued improving walleye success on Devils Lake with most activity around the Minnewaukan Flats. Work wind-blown shorelines for white bass, which varies daily. Goose Lake slowing down for walleye. Some catfish success along the break lines of current on the Red River using fresh or frozen suckers. Also try frogs. River is running high with recent rains so look for some catfish past feeder creeks and tributaries as high water recedes. Spotty walleye success on the east end of Lake Sakakawea.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Continued fair to good for walleye. Try the Minnewaukan Flats using a variety of presentation with leeches or nightcrawlers.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good walleye success with fish transitioning to summer mode with crankbaits or spinners and bottom bouncers with live bait. Try Fort Totten, Minnewaukan Flats, or Pelican Lake. White bass sporadic but work the traditional highways from shore. Walleye anglers also finding bass schools.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Hot weather limiting fishing activity with most anglers going out early morning or late evening. Bring insect repellent. Lots of recreational boating.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Anglers continue going throughout the area to small local lakes with generally fair success.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Steady activity throughout smaller area lakes with Jamestown Reservoir still slow. Most activity is on leeches but mix up bait presentations with nightcrawlers and minnows.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Lots of activity with anglers using a variety of bait presentations.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Smallmouth bass success slowed but continued white bass activity. Improving bluegill success with a mix of crappie and perch, as well. Overall panfish activity is good but mediocre walleye activity.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Bouncing weather patterns creating inconsistent walleye success. Try the south flats or work north shore points but there isn’t much consistency to success. Look for improving success with leeches but most anglers still using nightcrawlers.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River producing some walleye activity from boats but spotty success. Try the spillway channel or spillway inlet but nothing consistent. Good catfish success, however. Better numbers from the channel during the day. Some walleye success down river using jigs or Lindy rigs but fish are scattered. Most anglers are focusing on the spillway inlet. Some success in the chutes for a mix of species. Look for shore success in the morning or evening casting crankbaits from the rocks. Lake Sakakawea remains inconsistent with some walleye success on the east end. Try slow death rigs with nightcrawlers or plastics. Bite is light so also try Lindy rigs. Try Riverdale Bluffs, east end of Mallard Island, Wolf Creek, 7 Sisters, or Douglas Bay. Try pitching jigs up towards shore with larger fish in the weeds in Douglas. Try 80 feet with variety of presentations for salmon from Riverdale Bluffs to Deadman’s Bay. Also try the face of the dam.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Continued success on most area lakes.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not much activity.

*Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: OK success continues for smallmouth bass.

*Spiritwood Lake, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued fair to good for nice-sized bass.

N.D. rivers:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 2.21 feet; streamflow, 29.5 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 1.94 feet; streamflow, 84.1 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks, River stage, 29.01 feet; streamflow, 21,900 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 4.02 feet; streamflow, 316 CFS.

Numbers to know:

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

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