Dakota Recreation Report: June 08, 2020

Outdoor notes:

*The lowest three-quarters mile of Channel A as it enter Devils Lake is closed to boats and shore-fishing, the area by U.S. Highway 2 and train bridges, due to road construction.

*Remember to get current boat registrations, keep social distancing, and boating safety requirements for life jackets, etc.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, June 1: 1,449.71 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.71 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,840.75 MSL; 28,300 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Antelope and Clear lakes producing fair walleye activity with better success from boats than shore. Missouri River improving for walleye. Parshall Bay and New Town area producing small walleye on Lake Sakakawea with scattered success along the east end.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Improving walleye success with fish moving into a more typical summer pattern of spinners and bottom bouncers in deeper water. Continued good white bass and pike activity.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Improving walleye success along the Minnewaukan and bridges with some nice-sized fish starting to show up.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Best walleye success is in shallow water along the west side of Devils Lake. Try slip bobbers and leeches. Also try Pelican Lake for both pike and walleye. White bass remain good throughout the lake.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Overall increasing activity throughout area lakes. Look for generally fair success.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Lots of activity throughout area lakes, including Mallard Marsh, Woodworth area lakes, and south of Jamestown. Jamestown Reservoir producing walleye and crappie.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Fair to good walleye success at Alkali Lake, Jamestown Reservoir, Barnes Lake, and along the Buchanan Bridge. Try high along the weed lines with the spawn over and fish on a feeding frenzy. Try jigs and bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers and minnows.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Good numbers of bass from the bridges with walleye activity out in boats. Some perch and pike mixed in. Look for occasional nice-sized smallmouth bass. Try slip bobbers and nightcrawlers along the weed lines after locating fish. Also try crankbaits in shallow water.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lots of anglers on the water with generally good success for a nice mix of walleye, perch and bass.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Fair for walleye on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Try bays or 7 Sisters, including south side bays, humps, and points. Work a variety of depths and presentations. Wind has been the biggest limiting factor. Lake Audubon fair for walleye on the east side.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Water temperatures starting to warm along the south side with corresponding improving walleye success. Most success is with minnows in 9 to 20 feet, although some nightcrawlers are starting to produce activity.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River remains slow but anglers are seeing some improvement in the spillway channel and down river. Try jigs and minnows or trolling crankbaits. Fair for walleye from shore off the rocks. The east end of Lake Sakakawea continues to improve but anglers need to move around with spotty success yet. Keep working shallow, including pitching jigs towards shore. Best activity remains west. Better shore success is for bass.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Most area lakes quiet although Clear Lake is producing numbers of small walleye.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Fair for crappie.

*Spiritwood Lake, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Fair for walleye.

Paddle craft river elevation & flows:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 3.42 feet; streamflow, 75.9 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 3.08 feet; streamflow, 427 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 10.47 feet; streamflow, 6,480 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 3.4 feet streamflow, 132 CFS.

Numbers to know:

*N.D. Game and Fish Department, Devils Lake office: (701) 662-3617.