Dakota Recreation Report: June 22, 2020

Outdoor notes:

*The lowest three-quarters mile of Channel A as it enters 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.

*State parks are open with camping reservations available online at (parkrec.nd.gov).

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, June 16: 1,449.41 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.6 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,842.76 MSL; 27,700 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Devils Lake fair to good for white bass from shore. No reports from east-central lakes area lakes. Missouri River fair to good for walleye. Lake Sakakawea starting to improve for walleye when wind allows anglers to get on the water.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Look for good white bass success from shore. Try casting with larger minnows. Limited walleye success from boats due to wind. Look for better success with spinners and nightcrawlers in the coming weeks as the bite transitions into summer.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Improving walleye success when wind allows.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Good white bass success continues from shore. When anglers can get on the water in boats, they’re finding improving walleye success.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Wind and weather permitting, angles are finding OK walleye success. Try New Mil or Old Mil bays with slip bobbers or pitching crankbaits. Look for a switch to trolling in 10 feet and deeper soon with warmer water.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: When anglers can get on the water look for perch, pike, and walleye from Clark and Alkali lakes with continued crappie from Jamestown Reservoir. Pearl Lake producing perch with Reule Lake producing walleye and perch.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Fair to good walleye success. Improving bluegill activity from the docks in shallow water with several in the 9- to 11-inch range. Some crappie, white bass and pike mixed in.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Good for a variety of panfish. Try casting small jigs. Some walleye activity when anglers can get on the water.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Windy weather limiting activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Move around with fish not patterning. Missouri River continues improving for walleye below the tailrace.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Wind making for difficult fishing, although when anglers can get out they’re finding some walleye success with minnows. Move around in a variety of depths with a lack of consistent fish and weather patterns

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River fair to good for walleye in the spillway channel and blowout. Try a variety of presentations, especially Lindy rigs and nightcrawlers. Also try jigging in the holes. Try crankbaits at night for walleye from the rocks off shore with some catfish mixed in. Lake Sakakawea remains better farther west, wind permitting, but is still inconsistent.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Fair for crappie.

Paddle craft river elevation & flows:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 2.75 feet; streamflow, 52.4 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 2.71 feet; streamflow, 272 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 21.2 feet; streamflow, 12,300 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 4.31 feet; streamflow, 411 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.

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