Dakota Recreation Report- September 3, 2018

Patricia Stockdill | Sep 03, 2018

Outdoor notes:

*Beware of blue-green algae on area lakes and wetlands with weather and water conditions prime for the deadly toxin growth. Keep dogs out of any questionable water because it’s deadly and death can occur rapidly.

*Anglers need to plan to keep any fish caught in water deeper than 25 feet because they typically can’t survive coming up from that deep.

*No baiting allowed on Fish and Wildlife Nat’l. Wildlife Refuges and Waterfowl Production Areas and Game and Fish Dept. Wildlife Mgmt. Areas.

*Sept. 4: Leftover tundra swan licenses available, first-come, first served through Game and Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov).

*Sept. 5: Fall turkey applications due.

*Sept. 8: Seasons open for partridge, squirrel, and sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Aug. 28: 1,448.9 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.82 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,847.2 MSL; 46,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Devils Lake producing small walleye. No reports from east-central area lakes. Sporadic Red River catfish success with rain slowing seasonal drop in elevation. Continue watching for rocks and snags, though. Work above rocks, snags and mid-river holes for active fish with frogs in the morning. Switch to cut goldeye or shrimp in mid-day and evening hours. Fish seem sluggish so be patient and wait 20 to 30 minutes before moving. Little activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Try Grahams Island with spinners and bottom bouncers for continued walleye success. Sort through for the larger fish. Try 18 to 25 feet.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued small walleye success with those anglers willing to work finding some keepers.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Continued fair for small walleye.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued numbers of small walleye with a few keepers mixed in. Try jigs or spinners and bottom bouncers in 10 feet and deeper.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Little activity on area lakes with a few anglers finding small walleye from Devils Lake.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Jamestown Reservoir producing some crappie and perch activity along with occasional walleye. A few more anglers out on area lakes, as well.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Activity remains light on the reservoir and area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Some activity but limited reports with just an occasional walleye.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: An uptick in panfish success with a few more perch showing up along with a variety of bass. Try along the docks for bluegill. Walleye and pike remain slow.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Try working east end humps for walleye in 20 to 50 feet. Fish running a bit smaller, though. Also try deep around 40 feet in Douglas Bay. Work a variety of presentations. No Lake Audubon reports. Some walleye success from the blowout in the Missouri River tailrace.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Fair walleye activity with better success west towards Shell.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Continued walleye bite in the spillway channel on the Missouri River. Try crankbaits or spinners and nightcrawlers. Some walleye success down river as well as catfish and walleye success in the chutes now with slower releases. Improving walleye success from the rocks at night from shore. Try a variety of presentations for walleye in 30 feet on Lake Sakakawea. Fair salmon success in 80 to 100 feet with a variety of presentations - nothing consistent for pattern although most success remains north of Government Bay.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Slow.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Look for some perch and crappie activity with occasional walleye.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No new reports.

*Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Not many reports.

*Spiritwood Lake, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No reports.

N.D. river canoeing/kayaking elevation & streamflow:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 1.99 feet; streamflow, 20.4 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 1.58 feet.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 15.79 feet.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 3.88 feet.

Hunting:

*Doves: Good numbers of local birds in north-central N.D.