Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Dakota Recreation Report: Sept. 6, 2021

Outdoor notes:

*N.D. Dept. of Environmental Quality blue-green algae reports: Advisories – Alkali, Antelope, Barnes, Buffalo Lodge, Reule lakes, Jamestown and Pipestem reservoirs, and South Hoffer.

*East Totten Recreation Area boat ramp is the only available ramp on Lake Audubon during a lake draw-down to allow for facility maintenance work along the U.S. Highway 83 embankment.

*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.

*Concurrent deer licenses now available in some units. Go to the N.D. Game and Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov) for details.

*Use caution on boat ramps with slippery conditions due to vegetation, etc.

*Watchable Wildlife photo contest underway with Oct. 1 deadline. Contact N.D. Game and Fish Dept. conservation biologist, Patrick Isakson ([email protected]) for details.

*Check local fire restrictions when camping, etc.

*Camping reservations required at N.D. State Parks and are available online at the website, (parkrec.nd.gov). Weekdays are excellent opportunities to enjoy the parks.

*Sept. 11: Sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, tree squirrel, and snipe seasons open.

*Sept. 15: West Early Canada Goose season closes.

*Sept. 18: Sandhill crane season opens.

*Sept. 18 and 19: Youth waterfowl and Veteran/Military waterfowl seasons open.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Aug. 31: 1,447.22 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,447.18 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,832.42 MSL; 21,100 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No new reports.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: East Bay producing nice perch in 20-plus feet, with slip bobbers and nightcrawlers or minnows. Some nice-sized 12-inch perch with nice walleye mixed in. Pelican Lake also good for walleye.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Not as many anglers on the water, but those out continue finding fair walleye success. Work windy shorelines or deeper water on calm days.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Anglers working harder for walleye, but those taken are generally nice-sized. Try Pelican Lake or Minnewaukan Flats.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good for walleye working from 10 feet out to 25 feet with spinners and bottom bouncers and nightcrawlers. Work along any of the highways.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Some activity on area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Quiet across a lot of area lakes, but those anglers going continue finding fair success. Try crankbaits.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Alkaline Lake producing nice walleye activity with little activity on other area lakes.

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

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: No new reports.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait and Tackle, Garrison: Work deeper on the east end of Lake Sakakawea in 30 to 40 feet for walleye with slowing success. Better success remains west from Deepwater Bay to Independence Point. Limited reports from the Missouri River.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Fair, but a little inconsistent walleye success. Work deep with crankbaits or spinners and minnows. Move around.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace remains fair for small walleye with good catfish success. Best time remains at night with 3-way swivels in the chutes. Look for some walleye from the shore at night. The east end of Lake Sakakawea continues producing some walleye in 35 to 52 feet. Look for fish to move up if water temperatures cool. Try spinners and bottom bouncers or slow death hooks along Douglas or Steinke bays and the Riverdale Bluffs. Salmon remain deep with most in 80 feet over 105 and deeper over anything over 130 feet. Try to follow the thermocline. Most activity is along Government Bay to Deadmans Bay with anglers working the face of the dam on windy days.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: No new reports.

Hunting:

*Doves: Look for good numbers scattered throughout much of the state for the opener. Look for any areas with water and small grains, including canola.

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 and Fish Department, Jamestown office: (701) 253-6480.

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