Dakota Recreation Report: Jan. 27, 2020

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.

*Feb. 6: Fargo Ducks Unlimited banquet, Speedway Event Center, West Fargo, 5:30 p.m.

Tournaments:

*Feb. 2: Larimore Dam.

*Feb. 8: Lake Ashtabula; Frettim; Lake, Lake Sakakawea, Pick City.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Jan. 21: 1,449.02 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.91 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,838.4 MSL; 24,800 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Antelope and Clear lakes producing occasional walleye but anglers need to be prepared to put in some time for success. No reports from Lake Sakakawea, Lake Audubon, Devils Lake, or other east-central area lakes.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Ice conditions remain good but it might take some time for good access throughout the lake after last weekend’s storm. Perch activity remains somewhat slow but continued nice walleye success. Look for good numbers of 14- to 18-inch fish. Try 10 to 40 feet around structure.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Consistent walleye and pike activity but hit-and-miss perch success throughout the recent cold and snow spell. Look for potentially better success with warmer weather.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Recent storm limiting activity until access is plowed open.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Improving walleye and perch success with warming weather. Work 20 to 32 feet throughout Creel Bay. Roads are open in the bay.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Many area lakes have poor shoreline access with drifting snow but there is some activity on lakes where anglers can find access. Tracked vehicles recommended and be prepared in the event of getting stuck.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Area lakes remain quiet after last weekend’s storm.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Little activity with snow limiting access.

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

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: No reports.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Scattered walleye success on the east end of Lake Sakakawea with anglers seeing nice numbers of fish but a finicky bite. Work a variety of depths throughout Douglas, Steinke, and Centennial bays. Scattered success on Lake Audubon, as well, with anglers moving around. An increasing numbers of houses moved along the south shore.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace boat ramp iced over earlier in the cold, windy weather. Look for better success and potential access with warmer weather. Lake Audubon producing walleye with a night bite. Try minnows.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Generally slow success throughout area lakes although overall ice conditions are OK for vehicles

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Access remains closed.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Access closed yet.

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

*Spiritwood Lake, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Little activity.

Downhill Skiing (conditions could vary):

*Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau: 10- to 30-inch base with seven trails and bunny slope groomed and in good condition. Chair and carpet lifts open. Three Sunny Side and four Backside tubing runs and lift open.

*Buena Vista Ski Area, Bemidji, Minn .: 18- to 32-inch machine groomed base. There are 14 runs, all lifts, and Bear Track Terrain Park open.

*Frostfire Ski Area, Walhalla: five trails, Harebell beginner trail, and Terrain Park open Friday through Sunday.

*Huff Hills Ski Area, Mandan: 20- to 24-inch machine groomed base with seven runs, bunny lift, and all chairs open.

N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. cross-country ski trails (conditions could vary):

*No new reports.

Snowmobile N.D. trails (conditions could vary):

*Cattail (Barnes, Cass, Steele, & Traill counties): three- to seven-inch base with trails open and in fair to good condition.

*East-Central Valley (Cass & Richland counties): six - to 12-inch base with all trails open and in good condition.

*Lake Region (Nelson & Ramsey counties): Sections open between Devils Lake and Lakota on trails four, five, and six with three- to six-inch base.

*Missouri Valley (Burleigh & Emmons counties): Wilton, Sterling, Moffit, & Hague trails open with three- to six-inch base with overall fair at best conditions. Watch for open water along sloughs and lake areas.

*Sheyenne Valley (Barnes, Dickey, LaMoure, Ransom, & Stutsman counties): six- to 10-inch base. J1, J2, V2, V5, V6, L1, & M1 trails open and in fair condition. McKinnes Trail moved to Hwy. 46.

*Red River North (Pembina & Walsh counties): All trails open except for the Cavalier Trail. two- to five-inch base. Good conditions in ditches.

*Southern Valley (Richland County): six- to 10-inch base with all trails open and in good condition.

*All other trails closed until there are better snow conditions.

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.