Dakota Recreation Report: September 19, 2022

Outdoor notes:

*Hunters reminded to put identification on tree stands and blinds when set up on N.D. Game & Fish Dept. WMAs.

*PLOTS guide now available online at the Game & Fish Dept. website with printed editions also available at vendors.

*Anglers reminded to follow ANS regulations, including draining live wells and removing plugs.

*Applications such as Onyx now have updated electronic posting information for the 2022 hunting season.

*Sept. 16: Youth deer season opens.

*Sept. 17: Youth waterfowl season opens.

*Sept. 24: Resident waterfowl season opens.

*Sept. 25: Youth deer season closes.

*Sept. 29: Valley City Ducks Unlimited banquet, Valley City Eagles, 5:30 p.m.

*Oct. 1: Nonresident waterfowl season opens.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Sept. 13: 1,449.82 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.81 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,834.67 MSL; 21,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Devils Lake still producing fair numbers of small walleye but anglers working harder for larger fish. East-central lakes quiet. Fair salmon success around Garrison Dam on Lake Sakakawea.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good success for a mix of walleye and perch in the north end of 6-Mile Bay.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Good numbers of small walleye yet although fewer anglers on the water.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Continued fair to good walleye success around the Minnewaukan Flats with a switch to minnows.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: OK walleye success with nice numbers of small fish. Try jigging in deeper water with cooling water temperatures.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Limited reports from area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Increasing switch to minnows for walleye throughout area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Improving walleye success with continued panfish activity.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: East end of Lake Sakakawea slowed but try working slow presentations in 30 to 35 feet. Also try longlining with crankbaits.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Bait shop closed but access still available.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Switch to minnows for walleye in 25 to 35 feet on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Try plain Lindy rigs and 2 minnows. Continued good smallmouth bass activity on Lake Audubon but walleye remain slow.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace continues producing walleye during the day from boats with fair to good catfish success. Limited trout and salmon, however. Shore bite remains better at night for a few walleye using crankbaits. Wing walls slow. East end of Lake Sakakawea still producing salmon in 70 feet and deeper using white flashers and white squids. Try morning hours from shore using spoons, Mepps spinners, or crankbaits as some fish move into shallower water. Look for more shallow success as the spawn begins. Most salmon are still in the 6- to 7-pound range with limited numbers of larger spawning fish showing up yet. Try deep on the bottom in 50 feet for walleye farther west around Beulah and Beaver bays.

Hunting:

*Deer: Movement remains slow but look for more evening activity when temperatures cool.

*Dove: Numbers generally remain strong.

*Upland: OK grouse numbers in pockets with overall better partridge numbers. Mixed success across parts of central N.D.

Numbers to know:

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

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