Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Dakota Recreation Report: Jan. 3, 2023

Outdoor notes:

*Reminder that it’s illegal to chase, harass, or pursue any wildlife species with motorized vehicle.

*Ice is never completely safe. Avoid areas with vegetation, moving water, pressure ridges, and springs. Check conditions as you go along on the ice and don’t move around at night.

Tournaments:

*Jan. 7: Devils Lake.

*Jan. 14: Lake Ashtabula, Sibley Crossing; Lake Josephine.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Dec. 27: 1,449.37 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.31 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,830.77 MSL; 21,900 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Limited and scattered activity with tracked vehicles needed on Devils Lake. No reports from other area lakes with snow and poor access throughout the region. Some access onto Lake Audubon off East Totten and East Cabin Site but conditions could change rapidly.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Tracked vehicles needed on Devils Lake but anglers getting onto the lake are finding some perch success on the main lake or 6-Mile Bay.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Some walleye and perch activity for those anglers accessing Devils Lake with tracked vehicles. Work deeper for perch with small presentations.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Activity generally limited to tracked vehicles with a few anglers trying for walleye and perch on Pelican Lake.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Tracked vehicles or walk-on needed to access and get around on Devils Lake. Those going out are finding some walleye. Slush is coming up when drilling holes, however.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Activity on area lakes generally limited to the use of tracked vehicles with heavy snow along many lake shorelines. Those going are using minnows.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Little activity unless accessing area lakes with tracked vehicles.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Weather and access permitting, anglers continue going to area lakes. Try jigs and minnows for walleye.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: No new reports.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Snow and slush under the snow on the lake limiting angler’s ability to move around on the ice. Access with tracked vehicles only.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Access extremely difficult on Lake Audubon and east end of Lake Sakakawea. A few houses are going off the East Totten boat ramp on Audubon, though, but no reports on success with the limited access.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: East Cabin site boat ramp and East Totten have access onto Lake Audubon but conditions and access can change rapidly so be winter prepared.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: No Missouri River tailrace activity.

Downhill skiing:

*Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau: 12– to 24-inch base with good conditions. 2 Magic Carpets and 1 lift, 3 runs, and tubing park open.

*Buena Vista Ski Resort, Bemidji, Minn .: 12 runs open with Terrain Park set up on Bunny Hill.

*Frostfire Ski Area, Walhalla: Closed for season.

*Huff Hills Ski Area, Mandan: 20- to 35-inc powder, packed powder base with all runs, 1 tow, and 2 lifts open.

Snowmobile N.D.:

*Cattail (Barnes, Cass, Steele, & Traill counties): 16- to 20-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*East-central Valley (Cass & Richland counties): 12- to 16-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Lake Region (Nelson & Ramsey counties): 10- to 14-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet.

*Missouri Valley (Emmons & Burleigh counties): 16- to 22-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings. Beware of intersection to Baldwin off Highway 83 where groomer got stuck in December and tracks too deep to fill until snow sets up. Repairs will be attempted, weather permitting.

*North-central (Benson, McHenry, Pierce, Ramsey, & Towner counties): 8- to 12-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet.

*Northeast (Cavalier, Pembina, & Walsh counties): Trails closed.

*Peace Garden (Bottineau & Rolette counties): Trails closed.

*Red River North (Walsh & Pembina counties): 12- to 16-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet. Early season conditions. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Red River South (Grand Forks & Walsh counties): 8- to 16-inch base. Trails open with early season conditions. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Sakakawea (McLean & Ward counties): 8- to 12-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Sargent County (Richland & Sargent counties): 10-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Sheyenne Valley (Barnes, Dickey, LaMoure, Ransom, & Stutsman counties): 12- to 16-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Sno-trails (Bottineau, McHenry, Renville, & Ward counties: 8- to 15-inch base. Trails open but ungroomed yet.

*Southern Valley (Richland County): 12- to 20-inch base. Trails open and in fair to good early season condition. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

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.