Dakota Recreation Report: July 29, 2019

Tournaments:

*Aug. 3: Devils Lake (2).

*Aug. 3 - 4: Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort; Devils Lake.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, July 23: 1,448.86 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.9 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,852.22 MSL; 46,200 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Devils Lake continues generally fair for walleye with most success along the Minnewaukan Flats or Golden Highway. East-central area lakes generally quiet although Goose and Hurdsfield-Tuffy lakes producing a few walleye for angles putting in the time. Improving Red River catfish success as water levels drop. Continue targeting areas of current using suckers or cut goldeye. Look for fish to transition into middle current areas as water levels stabilize. Fish should be active so only stay on an area about 15 minutes if there aren’t any bites. Check in advance to find out if ramps are clear of mud and debris No Missouri River System reports.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued good for small walleye. Most activity still around Minnewaukan Flats jigging with slip bobbers and leeches. Also try spinners with nightcrawlers. Work 15 to 30 feet. Try wind-blown shorelines for bass.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Overall fair success for small walleye. Locate structure and work deeper water for larger fish.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Lots of small walleye with anglers working harder to locate larger fish. Try a variety of presentations with most activity still along the Minnewaukan Flats.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Fair to good for walleye trolling with spinners and bottom bouncers along the highways in 10 feet out to 18 feet. Work 25 to 35 feet for larger fish. Good white bass success scattered throughout the lake.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: More anglers heading out to area lakes with somewhat fair success.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Lots of activity throughout area lakes with generally fair to good success for walleye with some perch in a few lakes. Some activity on Jamestown Reservoir but limited reports.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued success throughout most small area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Overall fair success for a variety of species with activity around the crossing.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Fair to good for a variety of species, especially bluegill. Work shallow water.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait and Tackle, Garrison: Fair walleye success on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Work deeper from 18 to 30 feet with a variety of presentations. No reports from Lake Audubon.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Lots of small walleye so sort through for the keepers, which are there for those putting in the time. Try 15 to 30 feet using Lindy rigs or spinners and bottom bouncers and leeches or nightcrawlers along the south shore.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace continues to produce walleye and catfish in the spillway channel. Also try down river with Lindy rigs or slow death hooks and nightcrawlers or plastics. Best success is before 10 a.m. Chutes producing a mix of species. Decent walleye success from shore from the rocks or boat ramp area. Lake Sakakawea producing walleye with best success also before 10 a.m. Try crankbaits in 16 to 20 feet and Lindy rigs or spinners with bottom bouncers with live bait. Work main lake points along Steinke or Governments bays or Sakakawea State Park. Best success remains west in the midsection, though. Try 65- 80 feet for salmon with a variety of presentations north of Government Bay.

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

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not many reports.

*Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait and Tackle, Jamestown: Continued nice smallmouth bass success.

*Spiritwood Lake, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued fair bass success.

N.D. rivers:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 2.02 feet; streamflow, 22.5 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 1.92 feet; streamflow, 81.1 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks, River stage, 20.82 feet; streamflow, 11,200 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 3.45 feet; streamflow, 153 CFS.

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.