Dakota Recreation Report: July 10, 2023

Outdoor notes:

*N.D. Dept. of Environmental Quality blue-green algae reports: Low toxin levels – Black Tiger Bay (Devils Lake), Benson Co .; Clausen Springs, Barnes Co .; Crystal Springs, Kidder and Stutsman counties; East Stump Lake, Nelson Co .; Heckers Lake, Sheridan Co .; Horsehead Lake, Kidder Co .; Lake Josephine, Kidder Co .; Moon Lake, Barnes Co .; Pipestem Reservoir. Advisory – Alkali Lake, Stutsman Co .; Harvey Dam, Wells Co. Go to the agency website, (deq.nd.gov) for more information and safety precautions.

*July 21 – 29: N. D. State Fair, Minot.

*July 21: McVille Canoe Races, McVille Dam, 7 p.m.

*July 25: Women’s Shooting Clinic, Capital City Sporting Clays, Bismarck. 8:30 p.m.

Tournaments:

*July 12: Red River, North Forks Landing.

*July 15: Devils Lake, Hay Bale Heights Ramp.

*July 21 and 22: Lake Sakakawea, Fort Stevenson State Park.

*July 22: Devils Lake, Creel Bay; Lake Sakakawea, Wolf Creek.

*July 26: Red River, North Forks Landing.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, July 4: 1,450.55 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,450.51 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,840.28 MSL; 21,700 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No reports from Devils Lake or north-central area lakes. Lake Sakakawea remains fair for walleye but overall success starting to slow.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good for walleye throughout much of Devils Lake but a little less consistent after cooler weather moved through. White bass active in East Bay.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued fair to good walleye success throughout much of the lake. Work structure with a variety of presentations

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Walleye success remains fair to good throughout the lake using a variety of presentations.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued good for walleye with anglers transitioning to using bottom bouncers and spinners starting in about 10 feet and working out into deeper water. Also, try slip bobbers in shallow water around Old Mil, New Mil, Hog or Howard’s bays, the south end of the main lake and any of the bridges. Pelican Lake remains good, as well.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Not many reports.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Lots of activity throughout area lakes with generally fair to good success for a mix of panfish and walleye. Best success with leeches but also try nightcrawlers.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: Generally fair to good success trolling along the weed edges. White bass also quite active throughout the lake.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Generally fair to good success for a nice mix of bass and walleye. Try trolling in the shallows.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Work a variety of depths on the east end of Lake Sakakawea from shallow in two to three feet, down eight to 15 and even 30 to 35 feet with a variety of presentations. Basically move around and mix up depths and presentations with an overall fair to good walleye bite.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Cool weather slowed walleye activity but generally fair to good success prior to that.

*Lakes Audubon and Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Walleye moving deeper on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Try 30 feet using nightcrawlers with a variety of presentations. Lake Audubon hit-and-miss for walleye with fewer anglers as people focus on Lake Sakakawea.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace inconsistent for walleye with better success at night from either boat or shore. Try 3-way swivels or plastics from boats or crankbaits from shore. Not many trout, catfish, or salmon. Lake Sakakawea also inconsistent for walleye. Work a variety of depths, move around to locate fish and switch up presentations, including Lindy rigs and bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers or minnows. Occasional salmon mixed in with walleye. Smallmouth bass active along rocky areas.

N.D. river flows:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 2.6 feet; streamflow, 49 CFS.

*Pipestem Creek, Pingree: Creek elevation, 6.09 feet; streamflow, 202 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 17.44 feet; streamflow, 4,120 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 3.99 feet; streamflow, 289 CFS.

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

*Report All Poachers: (701) 328-9921