Dakota Recreation Report: May 18, 2020

Outdoor notes:

*Deer gun and muzzleloader applications now available on the N.D. Game and Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov). Application deadline is June 3.

*Go to the N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. website, (parkrec.nd.gov) for updated information on state parks openings and regulations pending COVID-19 precautions. Day and annual passes available online. Please remember to implement social distancing.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Wildlife Mgmt. Areas also open to public use, although specific use regulations apply. Go to the Game & Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov) for information.

*Check with other public land and recreation agencies, as well, regarding camping and public use regarding COVID-19 related restrictions.

*May 15 – 21: Snag-and-release paddlefish season open with special regulations, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Go to the Game & Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov) for description of area open to legal snagging and other details.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, May 12: 1,449.8 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.62 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,840.31 MSL; 25,900 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Surface temperatures dropped the last weekend’s cool, snowy weather and walleye activity slowed. Try morning or evenings for walleye around the bridges. Work shallow, warmer water in the bays in the afternoons. Look for more activity with warming weather.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Water temperatures remain cold on main Devils Lake with better success still at the smaller feeder lakes with their warmer water temperatures.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Walleye activity slowed with spawn likely winding down. Look for improving success with warmer water temperatures and weather.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Some activity on area lakes, weather permitting. Try ¾ mimic minnow on areas like Barnes Lake, Ypsilanti Dam, or Jamestown spillway. Best success is shallow from shallow water. Also nightcrawlers or spoons. Area rivers are hit-and-miss but look for good numbers of pike and carp. Walleye slow yet.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Docks are in place at the Crossing with good numbers of boats on the water, weather permitting. Not many reports on success yet. Also try off the rocks from the bridges dragging minnows along the bottom.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Limited reports and activity from Lake Audubon.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Not much activity on Lake Sakakawea with spotty success at best throughout the east end. Best walleye activity remains west of New Town in the upper end of the lake. Limited reports and activity from Lake Audubon.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace activity slowed with cold weather, plus the walleye spawn likely underway. Look for occasional walleye from boat and shore. East end of Lake Sakakawea also remains quiet.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Some success in shallow water.

Paddle craft river elevation & flows:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 5.19 feet; streamflow, 221 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 3.5 feet; streamflow, 602 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 21.01 feet; streamflow, 9,710 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 3.97 feet; streamflow, 289 CFS.

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 & Fish Department, Jamestown office: (701) 253-6480.

*Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121 or (701) 328-9921.