Dakota Rec Report: May 25, 2020

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, May 18: 1,449.8 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.64 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,840.5 MSL; 28,600 cubic ft. per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Warmer weather bringing anglers out with a nice mix of boat and shore activity. Water temperatures remain cool yet, though, with generally slow success yet. Work shallow, warm water along the west side, including Howard’s or New Mil bays, Pelican Lake, or Minnewaukan Flats Try casting jigs, plastics, or crankbaits and then anchor on top of them once walleye are located.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Water temperatures remain cool but look for improving pike and walleye soon.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Fair to good walleye success. Try Lindy rigs with leeches around the bridges. Also try pitching crankbaits in shallow in areas with warming weather.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Warm weather bringing lots of anglers out to area lakes, including Mallard Marsh and the Woodworth area. Some early walleye success with crappie mixed in. Some success on Jamestown Reservoir.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Lots of activity throughout area lakes with increasing activity on Jamestown Reservoir.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Good angler numbers on the lake with fair but scattered, success for a mix of pike, bass, small walleye, and bullheads. Try variety of presentations and bait.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lots of fishing activity with occasional bass.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Somewhat improving walleye success in Lake Sakakawea’s east end back bays, including Garrison and Douglas bays. Work shallow with live bait rigs or jigs and minnows or nightcrawlers. Water temperatures starting to warm in the back bays. A few walleye starting to show up on Lake Audubon, as well.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Good pike success from shore. Smallmouth bass active in gravel bays. Better success remains farther west for walleye.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River remains slow with spawn possibly just wrapping up. Look for improving success with warmer weather. Best success might be off the rocks from shore at night casting crankbaits. Down river slow from boats.

Paddle craft river elevation & flows:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 4.53 feet; streamflow, 158 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 3.41 feet; streamflow, 560 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 20.38 feet; streamflow, 8,990 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 3.83 feet; streamflow, 244 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.