Dakota Recreation Report: April 5, 2021

Outdoor notes:

*New 2021 fishing and trapping licenses now needed.

*Spring turkey hunters need new 2021 hunting licenses prior to receiving their turkey license and tag.

*April 8: Valley City Ducks Unlimited raffle & game night, Valley City Eagles, 5:30 p.m.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, March 30: 1,448.64 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.43 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,837.88 MSL; 18,300 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*North Dakota Game & Fish Dept. District game wardens: Open water fishing around the Devils Lake bridges for pike with some walleye mixed in. Little activity on east-central area lakes. Some pike activity along the open water shorelines on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Anglers reminded not to drive on soft and muddy shorelines. Little to no activity around the midsection, although shorelines are opening up. Boats can get in at New Town.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: No activity with anglers waiting for ice-out, with rapid ice movement, after recent winds.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Limited reports yet.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Continued activity along the open water of area bridges. Look for more activity on Devils Lake with open water

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Try the open water areas along the bridges, but no activity on Devils Lake yet.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Area lakes open after recent winds, but limited reports. Look for more activity with warm weather.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: James River good for walleye and pike, with other area rivers also producing success. Try smile blades or smelt. Alkali Lake producing walleye, along with small area lakes around Gackle, and the Jamestown Reservoir also producing success.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: No new reports.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lake Ashtabula is open, but is below normal spring elevations.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: North Lake open on the east end of Lake Audubon with some activity. East end of Lake Sakakawea has open water shorelines and main lake opening with recent winds. Look for pike activity using frozen smelt or herring on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Missouri River improving from Wilton to Washburn for walleye. Look for fish to continue moving closer to the tailrace.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace remains slow for walleye with scattered boat and shore success.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: A few anglers trying shore-fishing, but limited success so far on area lakes.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Look for more activity with open water and warm weather.

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

North Dakota Parks & Recreation Dept. trails (conditions can vary):

*North Dakota state parks open with trails usable for hiking. Check with individual parks for amenities now open. New park passes now available.

Migration:

*Light geese: Lots of birds moving through east-central North Dakota, with good numbers of birds moved into the Devils Lake area over the last weekend and early in the week. Birds also moving into and through north-central areas, including around Towner, and up along the Canadian border. Some birds lingering and feeding in fields in the Lonetree WMA area, but most are flying high and heading north. Look for the possibility of rapid migration once they push through.

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.