Dakota Rec Report: Sept. 7, 2020

Outdoor notes:

*Sept. 7: Missouri River early Canada goose season closes.

*Sept. 12: Grouse, partridges, tree squirrel, and snipe seasons open.

*Sept. 15: Western early Canada Goose season closes.

*Sept. 19: Sandhill crane season opens.

*Sept. 19 - 20: Youth, veteran/military waterfowl season.

*N.D. Dept. of Environmental Quality issued blue-green algae advisories for Coal Mine, Buffalo, and Wood lakes and Devils Lake with warnings for Stump, Antelope and South Golden lakes.

*Do not release any fish caught from water 25 feet and deeper because their swim bladder likely won’t allow them to survive when coming up from deep water.

Tournaments:

*Sept. 8 - 11: Lake Sakakawea, Fort Stevenson State Park.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Sept. 1: 1,449.56 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.55 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,840.93 MSL; 27,100 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*Devils Lake, Edís Bait Shop: Continued walleye activity working spinners and bottom bouncers and spinners in 15 to 22 feet. Try casting or trolling crankbaits in shallower water with cooler water temperatures.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued good for small walleye. Try trolling shallow in the weed beds for larger fish.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort: Continued walleye success using spinners in the shallows for smaller fish. Try lead-core or crankbaits in deeper water for larger walleye. Continued white bass activity around the bridges on Highway 57 and 20.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Lots of activity throughout most area lakes with some nice pike and walleye success. Some perch mixed in.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Alkaline Lake slowed for walleye. Jamestown Reservoir producing a mix of crappie and perch. Diamond Lake producing small walleye. Try crankbaits on most area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Try working breaks and the channel for walleye. Improving crappie success along the bridges. Occasional pike.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Not many new reports. Look for panfish success yet and occasional walleye.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Occasional walleye on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Try live bait presentations with some success starting on minnows, although nightcrawlers still producing some success. Move around to locate fish, which moved deeper.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace slow from boats. Try 3-way swivels. Most anglers catching catfish with occasional salmon or walleye. Best shore success is after midnight along the rocks casting crankbaits with anglers finding a few walleye and salmon. Occasional catfish from the wing walls but overall the river is slow. East end of Lake Sakakawea remains fair for walleye working 12 to 25 feet. Move around with walleye spread out in a variety of depths and locations. Salmon remain deep with anglers still working 85 feet over 100 to 140 feet along the face of the dam over to Deadman’s Bay. Best success on squids or herring but also try flies. Look for salmon to move shallower in the coming weeks into 70 feet with potential for some success casting from shore.

Hunting:

*Archery deer: Fair numbers expected for season opener.

*Doves: Fair numbers in the central part of the state.

*Early Canada goose: Generally slow.

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.

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

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