Dakota Recreation Report: Sept. 20, 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.

*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.

*Check local fire restrictions when camping, etc.

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

*Sept. 23: Valley City Ducks Unlimited Hunter’s Party, Valley City Eagles, 5:30 p.m.

*Sept. 25: Resident waterfowl and woodcock seasons open.

*Sept. 25: Dakota Southeast Pheasants Forever banquet, West Fargo Speedway Event Center, 5:30 p.m.

*Oct. 1: James Valley Pheasants Forever banquet, Club 1883, Jamestown, 5 p.m.

*Oct. 2 and 3: Youth pheasant season.

*Oct. 2: Tundra swan season opens.

*Oct. 2: Nonresident waterfowl season opens.

Tournaments:

*Oct. 1 and 2: Lake Sakakawea, Sakakawea State Park.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Sept. 14: 1,447.2 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,447.14 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,831.79 MSL; 18,200 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Devils Lake spotty for walleye. Move around and try a variety of presentations because there isn’t a consistent fall walleye bite yet. Some activity on a few east-central lakes, but overall success slow. Not much activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea, with better walleye success around Pouch Point in the midsection. Work deep on both Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Fewer anglers on the water, but perch activity remains fair to good on East Devils Lake with improving walleye success. Cool nights cutting back weeds and the lake turned. Pelican Lake good for walleye. Try pulling crankbaits over old roads. Launch at Grahams Island and access through the Mauvais Coulee bridge.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued fair to good walleye success.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Walleye bite is a bit tougher with anglers working longer for fish. Continued good numbers of small fish, however. Try 10 feet along the highway working out deeper using a variety of presentations.

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

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Area lakes and the Jamestown Reservoir generally quiet.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Look for bluegill activity in the shallows. Some crappie success, as well.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Fewer anglers on the water, although those going continued finding some panfish with a few walleye mixed in.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait and Tackle, Garrison: Some activity yet along 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: No new reports. General store closed for the season, but camping and lodging available until mid-October.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: No new Missouri River reports. Garrison Dam releases are lower. Some salmon starting to show up in the bays along the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Try casting spoons from boat or shore in Scoria Bay. Fish are starting to move up and turn color although some salmon are still in 80 to 100 feet. No new walleye reports.

Hunting:

*Doves: Cool nights starting to move more doves out.

*Deer: Most bucks seem to be losing velvet.

*Upland: Partridge numbers fair in pockets. Some grouse hunting activity, but overall slow success in west-central parts of the state. Generally birds seem to be in pockets.

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.