Dakota Recreation Report: March 8, 2021

Outdoor notes:

*Beware of deteriorating ice conditions, water around ice houses, slushy shorelines, and open water around culverts and vegetation with warmer weather.

*Elk, moose, and bighorn sheep applications now available on the N.D. Game & Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov).

*New hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses available after March 15.

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

*March 13: Central Dakota Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation banquet, Gladstone Inn, Jamestown, 5 p.m.

*March 15: Deadline for removing permanent and darkhouse ice-fishing houses. They can still be used but must be taken off the ice daily.

*March 17: Leftover spring turkey licenses available on first-come, first-served basis, also on the Game & Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov).

Tournaments (check with organizers for event updates):

*March 13: Big Mallard Marsh.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, March 2: 1,448.55 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,448.48 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,836.81 MSL; 21,700 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Fair to good for walleye but perch are slow with many of those caught are small.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Inconsistent walleye and perch success. Some nice-sized white bass showing up at times when walleye fishing. Look for occasional nice-sized pike.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Beware of pressure ridges, variable ice, water along houses, and slushy shorelines with warm weather. Best perch success is on sunny days in 25 to 35 feet. Work 15 to 20 feet for walleye.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Continued activity on area lakes but watch deteriorating ice conditions with warm weather.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Fewer anglers on area lakes with limited reports.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Activity slowed throughout many area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Continued fair to good success for a mix of crappie, walleye, and perch in 25 to 30 feet with some pike moving up into shallower water in the creek.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Continued good walleye and perch success with lots of anglers still out. Use caution with warmer weather, however.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Fair walleye success around Centennial and Douglas bays and Wolf Creek on Lake Sakakawea. Watch rapidly deteriorating ice conditions, however. Anglers should consider moving permanent off. Lake Audubon remains spotty for walleye

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Limited boat activity on the Missouri River tailrace but look for improving activity with warmer weather. Slow shore-fishing success. Watch ice conditions if venturing onto Lake Sakakawea.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: No new reports but watch deteriorating shoreline ice on area lakes.

N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. trails (conditions can vary):

*North Dakota state parks open with trails usable for hiking. Check with individual parks for other available amenities for the coming spring. New park passes now available.

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.