Dakota Recreation Report for April 1, 2019

Patricia Stockdill | Apr 01, 2019

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.

*Remember to keep any fish caught in 20 feet of water and deeper because they don’t survive coming up from those depths.

*April 1: New fishing and trapping licenses due.

*April 1: Snowmobile N.D. trails close.

*April 6: Friends of NRA banquet, Ramada Inn, Grand Forks, 5:30 p.m.

*April 6: Lake Region Nat’l. Wild Turkey Federation banquet, Devils Lake KC, 5 p.m.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, March 26: 1,448.35 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.32 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,838.37 MSL; 12,800 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Devils Lake becoming slushy on top of the ice although fishing slowly starting to improve. Overall success remains spotty, however. Travel on the lake is extremely limited, as well. Tracked vehicles needed to access the lake but watch for slush pockets. Antelope Lake slowing down but anglers still catching a few perch. Other area lakes slow with little activity as slush and water limit access. Anglers can still access Lake Metigoshe with tracked vehicles. Scattered pike and perch success. Parshall Bay fair for pike on Lake Sakakawea with White Earth Bay fair for walleye at times. Lots of slush on the lake so moving around is difficult. A few anglers going out on east-central area lakes but access is difficult with slushy conditions.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Access remains challenging with slush and water on top of the ice on warmer days. Those getting out are finding improving perch success. Try the north end of 6-Mile Bay.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Traveling on the lake remains difficult with snow and slush on top of the ice. Tracked vehicles still recommended but anglers going out continue finding a mx of walleye, pike, and perch.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Access onto the lake is limited with water on top of the ice on warmer days. Tracked vehicles still needed. A few white bass starting to show up with better perch and walleye success. Lots of small walleye. Try last light in the evening for the best walleye activity. Pike seem to be a little more finicky lately.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Water and slush on top of the ice continues limiting activity throughout area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Activity remains limited throughout area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: A few more anglers out with some late ice walleye and perch success.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: More activity with warmer weather. Anglers using tracked vehicles and finding a nice mix of crappie, bass, and walleye. Limited pike success yet, however.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait and Tackle, Garrison: Access becoming an issue on both Lake Sakakawea and Audubon with slush and water along the shoreline and ice. However, Lake Sakakawea producing pike in the back bays with a few walleye mixed in. Fair for walleye on Lake Audubon with most activity off the Totten Trail boat ramp. Missouri River tailrace producing walleye from both boat and shore.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace producing walleye from the wing walls when it isn’t iced in. Try jigs and minnows down river for walleye with overall fair success. Look for a mix of ling, trout, and walleye with more trout numbers in the chutes. Beware of water and slushy shorelines along Lake Sakakawea.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: A few anglers walking onto Goose Lake off Highway 3 but no reports on success. Not much activity on other lakes with runoff and slushy lake conditions.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Little activity with no new reports.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not much activity.

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

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

N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. ski trails (conditions can vary):

*Turtle River, Arvilla: Trails open for hiking but in poor condition. Limited fat tire biking with soft ground.

N.D. rivers:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 1.92 feet.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 2.97 feet.

*Red river, Grand Forks: River stage, 16.57 feet.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 2.34 feet.

Numbers to know: