Dakota Recreation Report: Sept. 13, 2021

Outdoor notes:

*Go to the N.D. Game and Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov) for information regarding North Dakota’s new electronic posting regulations and assistance.

*N.D. Dept. of Environmental Quality blue-green algae advisory reports: Alkali, Antelope, Barnes, and 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.

*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). Family restrooms and vault toilet only available facilities in modern campground beginning Sept. 13 at Turtle River State Park. Trails in good condition.

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

*Sept. 15: First-come, first-served leftover fall turkey licenses available. Go to the N.D. Game and Fish Department website, (gf.nd.gov) for information and application.

*Sept. 18: Sandhill crane season opens.

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

*Sept. 22: East Early Canada Goose season closes.

*Sept. 25: Resident waterfowl season open.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Sept. 7: 1,447.3 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,447.2 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,832.17 MSL; 20,300 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No reports from Devils Lake or east-central area lakes. Some salmon activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Missouri River producing walleye at night.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued good perch success in East Bay. Try 23 to 25 feet with small minnows. Fair to good walleye success on main Devils Lake. Small boats needed to access Lake Irvine with lower lake levels, but those going are finding nice walleye activity.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued fair to good with walleye relating to structure more as evenings cool. Work weedy shorelines, starting in deeper water during the day and moving closer towards shore later in the evening.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Fewer anglers on the water, but those going continue finding fair to good success. Work deeper water during the day.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good for small walleye. Try jigging in deeper bowls on the main lake or try spinners and bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers or crankbaits. Start around eight feet and work deeper with larger fish in deeper water.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: No new reports from area lakes with fewer anglers out.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Fair to good for a mix of panfish, especially off the docks from shore. Look for some walleye and pike activity as well, from both boats and shore. Generally, there is nice fall bite underway.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Some nice-sized pike showing up with several weighing more than 20 pounds. Average walleye success with fair to good panfish activity, including a nice mix of bluegill and crappie.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait and Tackle, Garrison: Anglers continue working the west end of Lake Audubon along the U.S. Highway 83 embankment with water being transferred into Lake Sakakawea. 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 with some activity on the east end along the embankment where water is going through the intake from Lake Audubon. Limited Missouri River reports.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Work deep in 30 to 50 feet for walleye with more anglers using minnows. Fewer anglers on the water.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Continued catfish success on the Missouri River tailrace with slower walleye activity from boats. Most walleye are small and coming from the spillway channel. Look for some pike mixed in. Also try the chutes at night for walleye and salmon, with a few trout mixed in. A bit inconsistent, however. Lake Sakakawea has a tough walleye bite on the east end with fish in 30 to 52 feet. Work off points with better success farther west of Pick City. Also try jigging shallow, but success is slower. Try Douglas Bay. Look for some activity along the pumping station along the U.S. Highway 83 embankment. Good numbers of smallmouth bass on the east end. Work 80 feet and deeper yet for salmon, but a few are starting to be taken in the morning longlining with crankbaits.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: No new reports from area lakes with little activity.

Hunting:

*Doves: Fair, huntable numbers scattered throughout much of the region.

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.