Dakota Recreation Report: April 11, 2022

Outdoor notes:

*People are asked to report any dead birds and abnormal behavior in migrating birds, especially waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors, to the N.D. Game and Fish Dept. on their wildlife mortality reporting form, (gf.nd.gov/wildlife/diseases/mortality-report), due to a national outbreak of highly contagious avian influenza. It can also impact domestic poultry. While rarely infectious to humans, hunters or anyone handling poultry should use precautions, such as avoiding handling sick animals, wear gloves when dressing birds, wash hands and equipment thoroughly, and cook meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, April 5: 1,447.59 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,447.4 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,827.81 MSL; 14,500 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No east-central area lakes reports. Look for some open water shore-fishing opportunities for pike along some of the back bays on the south side of the east end of Lake Sakakawea.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Good numbers of anglers around Mauvais Coulee with nice walleye success.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Ice conditions deteriorating with best options fishing from shore along the open water of the bridges.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Lots of activity around the open water of bridges, including Mauvais Coulee. Some walk-on activity but use extreme caution with conditions varying day-to-day. Fair walleye success.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: No open water activity from shore on area lakes yet.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Anglers waiting for open water with no activity on area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lake is increasing in elevation and close to full pool. No activity with water along the shorelines and anglers still waiting for ice-out.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Look for some shore-fishing opportunities for pike on the east end of Lake Sakakawea in the far back bays where there are open water shorelines. Missouri River slow with difficult access due to low river levels.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: East end of Lake Sakakawea opening up along the shorelines, including Douglas Bay. Look for some pike activity using herring or smelt. Try early morning for walleye in the tailrace but access with small boats only.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace producing occasional walleye from boats using jigs and minnows. Also try the chutes for walleye with a few ling. Look for some pike from the east end of Lake Sakakawea along the open water shorelines in the back bays. Try smelt or herring. Watch for floating and shifting ice.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: No activity with anglers waiting for open water.

Migration:

*Light goose: Good numbers of birds still in north-central and northeastern N.D., including around the Devils Lake area. Central N.D. also has good numbers yet but that should start dwindling as the main influx of birds slows. Some birds still moving through northwestern N.D. but not stopping for any length of time.

Numbers to know:

*N.D. Game and Fish Department, Devils Lake office: (701) 662-3617.

*Report All Poachers: (701) 328-9921.