Dakota Recreation Report: February 15, 2021

Outdoor notes:

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Earth Day patch contest entry deadline March 15. Information available on the Game & Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov).

Tournaments (check with sponsors for updates):

*Feb. 20: Jamestown Reservoir, Pelican Point.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Feb. 9: 1,448.55 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.46 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,837.99 MSL; 21,400 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Dry Lake had an open water area in late January so beware of potentially thin ice. Stay prepared for potential emergencies due to extremely cold temperatures. Even though ice conditions are improving, lakes still have extremely variable ice depths. Use extreme caution. Other east-central area lakes slow. Scattered success on Devils Lake around the Minnewaukan Flats and East Bay. No Lake Sakakawea reports.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Fewer anglers out with ongoing cold weather.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Cold weather slowing activity and angler numbers.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Somewhat improving walleye success on the Minnewaukan Flats with increasing numbers of houses on the flats. Also try Pelican Lake.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Look for scattered success but overall it’s a tough walleye and perch bite. Try 15 to 25 feet for walleye and 40 to 45 feet for perch.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Continued activity throughout area lakes but limited reports.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Weather permitting, anglers continue heading throughout small area lakes, although cold weather limiting activity.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued fair to good success throughout many area lakes, including Diamond Lake, Jamestown Reservoir and Dry Lake.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Try 22 to 32 feet for a mix of crappie and perch. Some walleye and pike success, as well.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Fewer anglers on the ice with the cold weather but those going out with permanent houses continue finding nice success on Lake Ashtabula. Continued success throughout small area lakes, as well.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Lake Audubon producing a few small walleye but cold weather slowing angler numbers. Limited activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea yet.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace quiet with cold weather snap.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Limited perch and walleye success on Harvey area lakes with best success still on Goose Lake for small perch.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Fewer anglers out with more anglers going to small lakes.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued crappie success.

N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. trails

(conditions can vary):

*North Dakota state parks remain open with trails usable for hiking. Check with individual parks for other available amenities this winter. New park passes now available.

Downhill skiing (conditions can vary):

*Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau: Open Friday through Sunday. Contact (701) 263-4556 for more information.

*Buena Vista Ski Area, Bemidji, Minn .: 24- to 42-inch packed powder base with nine runs and features on Bear Track Terrain Park open.

*Frostfire Ski Area, Walhalla: Open Feb. 19, March 5, Saturday, and Sundays. Six runs, Beginner Hill, and Magic Carpet open. Contact (701) 549-3600 for schedule and covid-19 information.

*Huff Hills Ski Area, Mandan: Open Saturday and Sundays. 20- to 30-inch machine groomed, packed powder base. Six runs, Bunny Hill, and new Terrain Park features with two lifts and bunny tow available.

Snowmobile N.D.:

*East Central Valley (Cass & Richland counties): 2- to 6-inch base but marginal open area conditions with better snow along east-west trails. Portions of all four trails open. Sargent County trail won’t open this season.

*All other trails remain closed until 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 & Fish Department, Jamestown office: (701) 253-6480.

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