Dakota Recreation Report: August 16, 2021

Outdoor notes:

*N.D. Dept. of Environmental Quality blue-green algae reports: Advisories – Alkali, Antelope, Buffalo, Buffalo Lodge, Coal Mine, and Frettim lakes, South Hoffer.

*Use caution on boat ramps with slippery conditions due to vegetation, etc.

*Do not release any fish caught from water 25 feet and deeper because their swim bladder likely won’t allow them to survive when coming up from deep water.

*Watchable Wildlife photo contest underway with Oct. 1 deadline. Contact N.D. Game and Fish Dept. conservation biologist, Patrick Isakson ([email protected]) for details.

*Check local fire restrictions when camping, etc.

*Camping reservations required at N.D. State Parks and are available online at the website, (parkrec.nd.gov). Weekdays are excellent opportunities to enjoy the parks.

*Aug. 15: Early Canada goose season opens.

*Aug. 21: Fall crow season opens.

Tournaments:

*Aug. 20: Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Aug. 10: 1,447.41 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,447.37 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,834.03 MSL; 21,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No Lake Sakakawea, Devils Lake or north-central area lake reports.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Walleye activity slowed although good numbers of small fish. Try East Bay or the main lake with slip bobbers or spinners and bottom bouncers and nightcrawlers.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Be patient and work deep with crankbaits on calm days for walleye, otherwise work windy shorelines with slip bobbers or spinners and bottoms bouncers. Try East Bay, Pelican Lake, or 6-Mile Bay. Look for white bass in 6-Mile Bay, as well.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Try 22 to 25 feet with lead-core and dark colored spinners for walleye throughout the main lake. Also slip bobbers.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Little activity throughout area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Some activity throughout area lakes, but overall fewer anglers are out. Generally fair to good success yet, however.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No new reports.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Scattered walleye success with anglers moving around more to locate fish. Try the weeds in 5 to 10 feet over islands in the channel with slip bobbers. Continued panfish and pike success with some catfish mixed in.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Fair for a mix of species, including walleye and panfish.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Continued success for small walleye on the east end of Lake Sakakawea with larger fish coming from 30 to 35 feet using crankbaits.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Try 25 to 30 feet for walleye with nightcrawlers, working windy shorelines.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace producing some catfish and a few walleye, but generally slow yet. Occasional trout and salmon. Lake Sakakawea producing walleye with better success west. Try Beaver Bay in the morning. Also try Riverdale Bluffs and Steinke or Douglas bays in 25 to 35 feet with Lindy rigs or spinners and bottom bouncers and nightcrawlers. Also try crankbaits. Some success in the afternoon around 4 p.m. as well. Continued fair salmon bite in 65 to 85 feet over deeper water. Fish the thermocline with white-on-white flashers and squids or whole herring. Overall salmon success has been better than in recent years with several in the 10-pound range.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: No new reports.

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 and Fish Department, Jamestown office: (701) 253-6480.

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