Dakota Recreation Report: Feb. 22, 2021

Outdoor notes:

Please check with event organizers with any COVID-19 concerns.

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

*Feb. 27: Dakota Valley Fowlers Delta Waterfowl banquet, Valley City Eagles, 5 p.m. Tournaments: *Feb. 27: Alkaline & Fresh lakes.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Feb. 16: 1,448.5 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.46 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,837.44 MSL; 23,200 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Weather continues limiting activity throughout many area lakes and the Missouri River System, including slow pike success both spearing and hook-and-line. No reports from east-central area lakes.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Activity remains limited but not for more anglers out with nicer weather.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Perch bite remains tough with a little bit of an improving walleye bite. Look for more activity for both angler numbers and success with warmer weather.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Walleye and perch bite remains finicky. Anglers seeing fish on cameras but they’re not biting. Try 25 feet for walleye and 35 feet for perch. Fair pike success in 8 to 10 feet using smelt

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Limited activity but warmer weather should bring more anglers out throughout area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Anglers continue heading to a variety of small area lakes with fair to good success, weather permitting.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Cold weather limited activity but look for more anglers out throughout area lakes with warmer weather.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Try 25 to 30 feet in the channel or along the breaks for crappie and perch with some pike mixed in. Try along the dam for bluegill.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Continued good walleye and perch success with some crappie mixed in along with occasional bass. Access remains good.

*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, although Douglas Bay producing some walleye.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace activity remains quiet with continued cold weather. No Lake Audubon or Lake Sakakawea reports.

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 none runs and features on Bear Track Terrain Park open.

*Frostfire Ski Area, Walhalla: Open 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.