Dakota Recreation Report: August 30, 2021

Outdoor notes:

*N.D. Dept. of Environmental Quality blue-green algae reports: Advisories – Alkali, Antelope, Barnes, Buffalo, Buffalo Lodge, and Reule lakes, Jamestown and Pipestem reservoirs, and South Hoffer.

*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.

*Concurrent deer licenses now available in some units. Go to the N.D. Game and Fish Dept. website, gf.nd.gov) for details.

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

*East Totten Recreation Area boat ramp is the only available ramp on Lake Audubon during a lake draw-down to allow for facility maintenance work along the U.S. Highway 83 embankment.

*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.

*Sept. 1: Dove season opens.

*Sept. 3: Deer archery season opens along with moose, elk, and pronghorn archery for lottery license holders.  

*Sept. 3: Zones 1 and 2 Mountain lion seasons open.

*Sept. 11: Sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge, tree squirrel, and snipe seasons open.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Aug. 24: 1,447.25 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,447.12 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,833.68 MSL; 21,200 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No reports from area lakes, Devils Lake or Missouri River System.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: East Bay improving for 12- to 13-inch perch, but slowed for walleye. Nice walleye bite on Pelican Lake.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Increasing numbers of smaller walleye, but anglers still finding nice numbers of fish. Work windy shorelines with fish starting to move shallow, although work deeper during the day.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good walleye success with lots of 15- to 16-inch fish. Move around in eight to 20 feet with spinners and bottom bouncers.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Limited activity on area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Activity slowed throughout area lakes, although those going out are finding fair success.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Little activity throughout area lakes with wind and weather fronts moving in.

*Lake Ashtabula, Ashtabula Crossing, Luverne: Work the rock piles and sunken islands for bluegill, and river channel for walleye with slip bobbers. Occasional nice-sized pike with continued bass activity, as well.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Wind and weather permitting, anglers continue finding nice success for a mix of species, although pike remain quiet.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait and Tackle, Garrison: Work deeper on the east end of Lake Sakakawea in 30 to 40 feet for walleye with slowing success. Better success remains west from Deepwater Bay to Independence Point. Limited reports from the Missouri River.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Boat ramp access remains good. Scattered walleye success but those taken are nice-sized. Try working the north shore depending on the wind in 15 to 30 feet using crankbaits.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace continues to be slow with most activity for catfish, which remain quite active, including from shore. Night bite remains a smattering of walleye and trout. Some jigging down river for walleye. Lake Sakakawea fair to good, pending weather conditions. Try 35 to 52 feet around Douglas Bay with jigging Raps, but plan to keep fish from that deep of water. Also try shallow, but they’re less active, and Beaver Bay to the west from the south shore. Work 85 to 105 feet down over deeper water for salmon. Better success remains from Government to Deadman’s bays. Look for nice smallmouth bass activity along rocky, gravelly areas.

Hunting:

*Early Canada goose: Some activity with good success for the few hunters going out.

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.