Dakota Recreation Report: September 5, 2022

Outdoor notes:

*Hunters are reminded to put identification on tree stands and blinds when set up on N.D. Game & Fish Dept. WMAs.

*PLOTS guide now available online at the Game & Fish Dept. website with printed editions also available at vendors.

*Anglers are reminded to follow ANS regulations, including draining live wells and removing plugs.

*Applications such as Onyx now have updated electronic posting information for the upcoming 2022 hunting season.

*Blue-green algae updates, N.D. Dept. of Environmental Quality: No warnings listed for area lakes but conditions could change daily. Advisory issued for Barnes Lake, Stutsman Co. with Devils Lake and Sibley Lake, Griggs Co. under investigation. Low toxin levels on Antelope and Buffalo lakes, Pierce Co .; Big Mallard Marsh, Reule Lake, and Jamestown Reservoir, Stutsman Co .; Harvey Dam, Wells Co .; Hecker Lake, Sheridan Co .; Lake Geneva and Lake No. 5, Kidder Co .; South Golden Lake, Steele Co .; Stump Lake, Nelson Co .; Wood Lake, Benson Co .; and Hobart Lake, Barnes Co. Go to the agency website, (deq.nd.gov) for more information.

*Sept. 2: Archery deer and (lottery license holders) pronghorn seasons open.

*Sept. 10: Grouse partridge, and squirrel seasons open.

*Sept. 16: Youth deer season opens.

*Sept. 17: Youth waterfowl season opens.

Tournaments:

*Sept. 10: Devils Lake, Spirit Lake Casino.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Aug. 30: 1,450.11 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,450.13 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,835.75 MSL; 21,100 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No reports from east-central area lakes or Devils Lake. Continued salmon activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Try areas around Sakakawea State Park.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Try north end of 6-Mile Bay for perch but move around to locate schools. Most walleye activity remains on the west end of the lake.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Fewer anglers on the water but those going continue finding fair to good walleye success. Work deeper water for larger fish and move around.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued walleye success using spinners and bottom bouncers with larger fish still showing up on crankbaits in 20 to 25 feet.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Some activity continues throughout several area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Activity slowed throughout area lakes, although those going out are finding a few perch in Pipestem Reservoir and lakes around Medina. Limited reports from Jamestown Reservoir.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Some activity on area lakes with the bite still on nightcrawlers.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: Continued perch and bullhead success with limited walleye activity.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Angler numbers slowed with slower success. However some panfish activity continues but walleye remain slow.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Angler numbers slowed on the east end of Lake Sakakawea but those going continue finding walleye in deep water.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Continued fair to good walleye success. Overall steady activity working deep water with a switch to crankbaits. Try Nishu Bay, mouth of the Little Missouri Arm, or Deepwater Bay. Work shallower on overcast days. Limited weekday hours for the remainder of the season

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Switch to minnows on the east end of Lake Sakakawea and continue working deep water for walleye in 20 to 40 feet. Move slowly with live bait rigs and minnows. No reports from Lake Audubon with overall activity slowing on both lakes for angler numbers.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace remains slow for walleye during the day from both boat and shore with small fish still coming from the Spillway Channel. Chutes continue producing catfish. East end of Lake Sakakawea remains fair to good for walleye in 30 feet and deeper. Try slow death hooks and nightcrawlers with bottom bouncers. Move around and work points. OK salmon success with nice numbers of fish. Most activity is around Government Bay with some success yet around Deadman’s Bay. Try 70 feet and deeper with flashers and squids.

Hunting:

*Early Canada goose season: Fair amount of activity and success in east-central N.D. Lots of activity around the Devils Lake area but not as many birds around parts of central and northwestern N.D.

*Doves: Fair to good numbers throughout many areas of the state.

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.