Dakota Recreation Report: Jan. 16, 2023

Outdoor notes:

*Reminder that it’s illegal to chase, harass, or pursue any wildlife species with motorized vehicle.

*Ice is never completely safe. Avoid areas with vegetation, moving water, pressure ridges, and springs. Check conditions as you go along on the ice and don’t move around at night.

Tournaments:

*Jan. 28: Devils Lake, 6-Mile Bay.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Jan. 10: 1,449.37 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.32 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,829.79 MSL; 23,100 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No reports from Devils Lake, east-central, or Missouri River System.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Improving access on Devils Lake in some areas, including Creel Bay. Tracked vehicles needed on Lake Irvine but anglers finding nice walleye success.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Slush starting to go down on the lake but tracked vehicles still needed because of heavy snow cover. Those going out continue finding walleye. Perch slowed somewhat.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: A nice mix of walleye and perch but tracked vehicles remain necessary.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Strong perch bite in the eastern third of Devils Lake, including East Bay. Western end also has success at times. The key is tracked vehicles and the ability to move and locate fish. Fair to good walleye success with better activity in the morning and evening low light hours. Creel Bay has a good trail system with plans to expand, weather permitting.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: A little activity on area lakes with most anglers going to Devils Lake or the reservoir. Look for scattered success for anglers using tracked vehicles. Beware of water on the ice beneath the snow.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Area lakes generally remain quiet unless anglers can access with tracked vehicles. Those going out are finding some perch, walleye, and crappie success.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Stay on the trails on Jamestown Reservoir unless using tracked vehicles. Lots of activity using minnows or wax worms throughout area lakes. Tracked vehicles also recommended unless on a trail on other lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: Anglers accessing off the Hungry Pelican ramp. Look for a mix of perch, walleye, and bass with anglers using portable houses yet.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: No new reports.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Lake Audubon spotty for walleye with access off East Totten boat ramp. Moving on the lake is difficult unless on a trail, especially along the south shore, without tracked vehicles. Try Centennial or Douglas bays for walleye on the east end of Lake Sakakawea but moving around also difficult.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Some activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea off Centennial Bay. No reports on success, however, and use caution with hard snowdrifts on the ice. Moving around on Lake Audubon difficult without tracked vehicles but anglers are accessing off East Totten boat ramp. Tracked vehicles also needed between Velva Point and Old Church Bay but look for some walleye success.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Little activity on the Missouri River tailrace. Wolf Creek on the south shore of Lake Sakakawea producing occasional walleye at night but use extreme caution with heavy snow on the ice.

Downhill skiing (conditions can vary):

*Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau: 12– to 24-inch base with good conditions. Two Magic Carpets and one lift, three runs, and tubing park open.

*Buena Vista Ski Resort, Bemidji, Minn .: 12 runs open with Terrain Park set up on Bear Track.

*Frostfire Ski Area, Walhalla: Closed for season.

*Huff Hills Ski Area, Mandan: 20- to 35-inch machine groomed, hard packed base with all runs, lifts, and Green Lift Terrain Park open.

Snowmobile N.D. (conditions can vary):

*Cattail (Barnes, Cass, Steele, & Traill counties): 16- to 20-inch base. Trails open. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*East-central Valley (Cass & Richland counties): 12- to 16-inch base. Trails open and in good condition. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Lake Region (Nelson & Ramsey counties): 10- to 14-inch base. Trails open.

*Missouri Valley (Emmons & Burleigh counties): 16- to 22-inch base. Trails open. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings. Beware of 2 areas where groomers got stuck in December.

*North-central (Benson, McHenry, Pierce, Ramsey, & Towner counties): 8- to 12-inch base. Trails open.

*Northeast (Cavalier, Pembina, & Walsh counties):8- to 12-inch base with trails open except for Moonlighter Gorge and NESCA trails.

*Peace Garden (Bottineau & Rolette counties): Trails closed.

*Red River North (Walsh & Pembina counties): 12- to 16-inch base. Trails open. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Red River South (Grand Forks & Walsh counties): 8- to 10-inch base. Trails open and in good condition. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Sakakawea (McLean & Ward counties): 8- to 12-inch base. Trails open. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Sargent County (Richland & Sargent counties): 10-inch base. Trails open. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Sheyenne Valley (Barnes, Dickey, LaMoure, Ransom, & Stutsman counties): 16- to 25-inch base. Trails open and in good condition. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

*Sno-trails (Bottineau, McHenry, Renville, & Ward counties: 8- to 15-inch base. Trails open and in good condition.

*Southern Valley (Richland County): 12- to 20-inch base. Trails open and in good condition. Watch for snow piles along approaches and road crossings.

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

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