Dakota Recreation Report: May 30, 2022

Outdoor notes:

*June 4 & 5: Free Fishing Weekend.

*June 8: Deer gun and muzzleloader applications due.

Tournaments:

*June 4: Devils Lake, East Bay.

*June 4 & 5: Pipestem Reservoir, Parkhurst Landing.

*June 7: Lake Ashtabula.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, May 24: 1,450.19 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,450.12 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,829.3 MSL; 17,800 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Try working shallow water for walleye or around the bridges.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Improving walleye success working shallow, warm water in any of Devils Lake back bays.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued walleye success around the bridges, but no reports from main Devils Lake itself yet.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: More anglers heading to area lakes with somewhat slow success yet.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Success generally remains limited on area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: More anglers heading to lakes, including Spiritwood Lake and smaller area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: Increasing activity throughout the lake with local docks getting in place. Water levels are stabilizing and around normal spring elevation.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lake continues dropping and is near its normal seasonal elevation. Docks are getting in place. Success remains limited.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Improving success on Lake Audubon for a mix of smallmouth bass and pike with occasional walleye. No reports from Lake Sakakawea but stable weather bringing more anglers out on the east end.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Lake Audubon improving for walleye with fair to good success. Locate the warmest water in bays and try pitching jigs. East end of Lake Sakakawea starting to produce a few more walleye. Try shallow flats in 5 to 10 feet casting jigs and minnows. Smallmouth bass pre-spawn bite is also underway. Try same techniques as walleye.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace remains quiet for angler numbers but try fishing from boat at night with 3-way swivels or off the rocks using crankbaits. Look for some ling and occasional trout during the day from boats. Shore success remains slow. Lake Sakakawea generally slow with occasional walleye at best. Try along the face of the dam for salmon. Lake Audubon improving for a mix of walleye, pike, and smallmouth bass with its warmer water temperatures compared to the east end of Lake Sakakawea.

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

N.D. rivers:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 6.59 feet; streamflow, 511 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 7.57 feet; streamflow, 2,900 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 34.98 feet; streamflow, 30,100 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: Streamflow, 585 CFS.

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: (701) 328-9921.