Dakota Recreation Report: June 1, 2020

Outdoor notes:

*The lowest three-quarters mile of Channel A at Devils Lake is closed to boats and shore-fishing due to road construction.

*June 3: Deer gun and muzzleloader applications due.

*June 6 and 7: Free fishing weekend.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, May 26: 1,449.83 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.64 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,840.56 MSL; 28,600 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Limited reports from east-central area lakes. Mixed white bass success on Devils Lake but try Highways 20 and 19 or north of the closed area on Channel A. Remainder that white bass limit is 20 daily and 40 in possession. Please remember social distancing. Scattered walleye success on Devils Lake. No Missouri River System reports.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Lots of activity with good white bass success. Consistent pike success. Best walleye bite toward evening and overall slow. Water temperatures still cool but back bays starting to warm. Look for continued improving success as water temperatures warm.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Improving walleye success, including on main Devils Lake. Water temperatures remain cool yet so locate warmers water in the bays. Try crankbaits or slip bobbers.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Improving walleye succession the Minnewaukan Flats and bridges. Work shallow in warm water.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Fair to good walleye success with better activity from boats than shore. Try Lindy rigs or slip bobbers around the bridges. Good white bass activity.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown Reservoir producing crappie and walleye. Lots of activity around Woodworth area lakes and lakes south of Jamestown.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Lots of anglers on area lakes and the reservoir. Try a variety of presentations with fish activity with the spawn complete.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Good numbers of panfish with occasional walleye. Work shallow off shore for panfish with minnows or leeches. Try pitching jigs towards shorelines along the fresh weed lines in the warmer water.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Limited walleye and pike activity with those caught being on the small side. Improving smallmouth bass and crappie success. Work shallow, including up against the shoreline.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Fair walleye success in the back bays of the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Try a variety of presentation. Some success around 7 Sisters.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Cool water temperatures limiting walleye success. Try south shore.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River remains slow from boat as well as shore, even at night. Look for improving walleye success in the back bays of the east end of Lake Sakakawea as water temperatures warm. Try pitching jigs into the shallows or cover area with crankbaits in 15 feet to locate fish. Water temperatures remain cool. Try smelt for pike in bays with some smallmouth bass along gravel areas.

Paddle craft river elevation & flows:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 3.93 feet; streamflow, 110 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 3.33 feet; streamflow, 518 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 19.09 feet; streamflow, 7,020 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 7.71 feet; streamflow, 182 CFS.

Numbers to know:

*N.D. Game and Fish Department, main Bismarck office: (701) 328-6300, website: (http://gf.nd.gov).

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

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