Dakota Recreation Report- Dec. 31, 2018

Outdoor notes:

*Ice is never completely safe. Avoid areas with vegetation, moving water, pressure ridges and springs. Check conditions as you go along on the ice.

*Dec. 30: Light goose, High Plains duck, merganser, coot, and tundra swan seasons close.

*Dec. 31: Bighorn sheep, elk seasons close.

*Jan. 6: Upland bird and archery deer seasons close.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Dec. 24: 1,448.11 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.08 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,838.75 MSL; 21,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No Devils Lake or east-central area lakes report. Lake Audubon producing small walleye but watch varying ice depths.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued walleye and perch activity with most anglers still working east around Black Tiger Bay. Lots of activity on Creel Bay.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Fair for perch with some walleye mixed in. Try 17 to 21 feet using jigs and minnows. Perch bite is a bit inconsistent yet.

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

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Fair to good walleye success. Try areas with structure, such as Rocky or Military points in 27 to 35 feet with jigging Raps, buckshots tipped with minnows, or jigs and minnows. Also try northern feeder lakes where there is continued walleye success. Most perch are on the small side with best success still in Black Tiger Bay.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Fair to good throughout most area lakes for perch with some walleye mixed in.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Continued fair to good success throughout most area lakes with most anglers focusing on small perch lakes. Look for continued crappie success from Jamestown Reservoir. Limited pike reports from area lakes, though

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued good success throughout area lakes, including around Woodworth and Medina area, using jigs and minnows for walleye. When bite is on, success is good. Jamestown Reservoir producing crappie.

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

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Increasing activity but access is still with ATVs rather than driving pickups. Look for some perch and walleye success.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait and Tackle, Garrison: South side of Lake Audubon producing a few walleye from the second access point to Nelson Bay. Also try the old church bay. Use extreme caution with varying ice conditions. Missouri River tailrace remains fair to good for walleye.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Lake Audubon spotty for walleye. Ice depth varies, especially in areas with springs. Missouri River tailrace continues producing walleye and ling during the day with rocks producing walleye, including some nice-sized ones, from shore. Some down river success from boats, as well, during the day.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Look for activity throughout area lakes.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Continued crappie activity.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Fair crappie success.

*Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: No new reports.

*Spiritwood Lake, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not many reports.

Hunting:

*Pheasants: Bird numbers remain fair in pockets but birds are extremely flighty. Work heavier cover in areas with snow.

Numbers to know:

*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.