Dakota Recreation Report: April 3, 2023

Outdoor notes:

*Permanent ice houses can still be used but can’t be left unattended on lakes.

*Be mindful of parking when accessing area lakes; not blocking roadways or snow removal operations.

*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.

*April 8: Spring turkey season opens.

*April 15: Central Dakota Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation banquet, Jamestown, Gladstone Inn.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, March 28: 1,449.51 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.41 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,824.63 MSL; 16,100 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Some activity around Mauvais Coulee Bridge, Minnewaukan Flats, Ziebach’s Pass, and the main lake on Devils Lake but slush continues creating mobility issues even with tracked vehicles. Overall success is spotty. No reports from Lake Sakakawea, Lake Audubon, or north-central area lakes

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Activity light at best on Devils Lake with difficult access and mobility on the ice.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Not much activity with lots of slush on the ice.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Angler numbers remain light but those going are finding fair walleye success. Mobility on the ice remains limited, especially with ongoing slush issues.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: No new reports from area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Limited activity throughout area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Not much activity.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Weather permitting, anglers heading to Lake Audubon but limited reports. Continued pike activity on the east end of Lake Sakakawea with most anglers working Douglas Bay to the west along the mouths of creek beds.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Limited activity from the east end of Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace and east end of Lake Sakakawea remain quiet.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: No new reports with little activity on area lakes.

Downhill skiing (conditions can vary):

*Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau: 36- to 40-inch base with good conditions. Two Magic Carpets and 1 lift, 7 runs, and tubing and terrain parks open.

*Buena Vista Ski Resort, Bemidji, Minn .: Resort closed for the season.

*Huff Hills Ski Area, Mandan: 30- to 35-inch powder, packed powder base. All runs open along with 2 lifts, 1 tow, and Green Lift Terrain Park open. Donut Hole Hiking Area also open.

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.