Dakota Recreation Report: March 15, 2021

Outdoor notes:

*Statewide ice conditions are rapidly deteriorating and anglers need to exercise extreme caution if considering venturing out.

*March 15: Deadline for removing permanent and darkhouse ice-fishing houses.

*March 15: Leftover spring turkey licenses available on first-come, first-served basis, also on the Game & Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov).

*March 16: New hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses available.

*March 24: Elk, moose, and bighorn sheep applications due.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, March 9: 1,448.56 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,445.45 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,836.76 MSL; 19,200 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Minnewaukan Flats producing some walleye on Devils Lake. Walk-on access only, at best, recommended on lakes throughout the state.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Walking access only recommended on Devils Lake, although anglers are finding an improving late season perch and walleye bite. Use extreme caution if venturing onto the ice.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Ice conditions deteriorating fast with walk-on access recommended. Inconsistent success overall.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Warm weather creating poor access and honeycombing ice. Anglers are better off waiting for open water pike fishing.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Ice conditions rapidly deteriorating with walk-on access at best. Use extreme caution.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: No reports with poor ice conditions with little activity.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No access recommended across area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Walking access recommended with continued fair success for a mix of walleye, perch, and crappie. Work shallower in 15 feet. Watch ice conditions, which can change daily and beware of slush pockets.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Anglers generally waiting for open water fishing with rapidly deteriorating ice.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Some pike spearing activity in shallow water on Douglas and Steinke bays of Lake Sakakawea, with some hook and line walleye success. Ice is in poor condition with open, slushy shorelines.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Increasing angler activity on the Missouri River tailrace, but limited walleye success. Look for some ling success in the chutes from boats or from the wing walls.

*Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Poor ice conditions.

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 for the coming spring. New park passes are 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.