Dakota Recreation Report: September 17, 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.

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

*Sept. 20: Valley City Ducks Unlimited banquet, Valley City Eagles Club, 5 p.m.

*Sept. 22: Resident waterfowl and woodcock season opens.

*Sept. 23: Youth deer and pronghorn archery seasons close.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Sept. 10: 1,448.69 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.59 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,845.37 MSL; 43,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Antelope Lake producing occasional perch and walleye. No reports from Devils Lake. Steady Red River catfish success with dropping river elevations changing up the target for locating active fish. Find holes near high current areas and work it for about 20 to 30 minutes with a variety of baits before moving. Look for steady to improving success if river levels stay consistent.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Not many anglers on the water but those going continue finding small walleye. Try Grahams Island for bigger fish.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued small walleye success. Work the weeds for larger fish.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: No reports.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Lots of small walleye. Try trolling with spinners and nightcrawlers but look for a minnow bite to start soon.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Area lakes remain quiet.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Some activity on area lakes and the reservoir but no reports on success. Try a mix of nightcrawlers with the start of a switch to a minnow bite.

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

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: No new reports.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Continued panfish activity with overall good success, especially for bluegill with some bass mixed in. Perch and walleye slow but not many anglers out.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Move around to locate bait fish and walleye, trying a variety of depths. Work from the embankment to the west on both sides of the shore. Look for a switch to minnows but bring nightcrawlers, as well. Some activity in the spillway blow-out on the Missouri River.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: No reports.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River continues producing walleye. Try Gulp or Lindy rigs with minnows or nightcrawlers. Chutes producing a variety of species from boat during the day, including shore-fishing success at night from the rocks with crankbaits. East end of Lake Sakakawea producing scattered walleye success using Lindy rigs with bottom bouncers and nightcrawlers. Also try jigging Raps. Try 20 to 105 feet for salmon with fish definitely spread out. Work a variety of presentations with best success around Government Bay. Look for some salmon success from shore in the evening to start soon.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Some activity but no reports.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Limited activity.

*Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: No reports

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

Hunting:

*Doves: Still numbers in the area.

*Upland: Not much activity.

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.