Dakota Recreation Report: May 23, 2022

Outdoor notes:

*June 4 & 5: Free Fishing Weekend.

*June 8: Deer gun and muzzleloader applications due

Tournaments:

*June 4: Devils Lake, East Bay.

*June 4: Pipestem Reservoir, Parkhurst Landing.

*June 7: Lake Ashtabula.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, May 17: 1,449.84 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.8 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,829.03 MSL; 18,700 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No Devils Lake or east-central area lake reports. Try the face of the dam for some salmon activity on Lake Sakakawea. A few anglers on Lake Audubon with scattered walleye success and some smallmouth bass mixed in.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued success in northern Devils Lake feeder coulees and creeks.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Improving pike success in shallow, warm, and clear water. Lake is muddy is some areas.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Fair to good from shore for a mix of walleye and pike working the Minnewaukan Flats. Pelican Lake muddied up but look for a few walleye.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good walleye activity in Channel A and other feeder creeks and coulees. Locate warm, shallow water about 50 to 55 degrees using jig and minnows or leeches. Also try slip bobbers and Lindy rigs or plastics.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Limited reports but anglers starting to get on the water, weather permitting.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: James River remains high. Weather permitting, more anglers out with mixed success. Look for a mix of crappie, and walleye, and perch. Some activity on Jamestown and Pipestem reservoirs or Alkali Lake.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No new reports with weather continuing to limit activity.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: Weather continues limiting activity. Water levels starting to drop.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lake is dropping in elevation, although still above normal spring levels. Docks will get in place as water levels stabilize. Not much fishing activity yet.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Water temperatures remain cold on Lake Sakakawea with limited activity on the east end. No reports from Lake Audubon .

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Not much activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. No reports from Lake Audubon with limited activity.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace remains slow with limited activity. Some activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea but no reports.

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

N.D. rivers:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 7.74 feet; streamflow, 910 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 9.06 feet; streamflow, 4,120 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 39.07 feet; streamflow, 37,500 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 4.21 feet; streamflow, 337 CFS.

Numbers to know:

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

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