Dakota Recreation Report: July 24, 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 & Stutsman counties; East Stump Lake, Nelson Co .; Heckers Lake, Sheridan Co .; Horsehead Lake, Kidder Co .; Jamestown Reservoir, Stutsman Co .; Lake Josephine, Kidder Co .; Moon Lake, Barnes Co .; Pipestem Reservoir, Stutsman Co .; Reule Lake, Stutsman Co. Advisory – Alkali Lake, Stutsman Co .; Harvey Dam, Wells Co. Go to the agency website, (deq.nd.gov) for more information and safety precautions.

Tournaments:

*July 26: Red River, North Forks Landing.

*Aug. 5: Devils Lake, Round Lake Bay.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, July 18: 1,450.34 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,450.33 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,842 MSL; 22,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No new Devils Lake reports but look for continued fair walleye activity. Not much activity on north-central area lakes. Lake Sakakawea becoming somewhat inconsistent for walleye. Work a variety of depths.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Wind and cooler temperatures could slow up walleye and perch success. Look for improving with stable weather again.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued fair to good walleye success. Work deeper structure in 15 to 25 feet trolling or with slip bobbers.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good for walleye, including along the Golden Highway, Pelican Lake, or Military Point. Try spinners with better success on nightcrawlers during the day. Some anglers also finding walleye with leeches.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Not much activity on area lakes with a lot of anglers continuing fishing Devils Lake.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Some activity on Jamestown and Pipestem reservoirs with anglers finding somewhat better success on Pipestem.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Walleye slowed across many area lakes with finding increasing pike numbers. Try nightcrawlers or mimic minnows for walleye.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: Try weed edges with jigs for fair panfish.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Fewer anglers on the lake but those going continue enjoying steady success for a mix of species.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Work deeper water along the north shore on the east end of Lake Sakakawea with walleye generally going into deeper water. No reports from Lake Audubon.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Inconsistent walleye success with most anglers working 21 to 26 feet using a mix of nightcrawlers or leeches

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Work deep on the east end of Lake Sakakawea for walleye, as far down as 45 feet. Deepwater Bay area slowed. No Lake Audubon reports.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace continues producing walleye from boats during the day using live bait or plastics. Try the spillway channel or the spillway hole entering the river. Generally most fish are eater-sized. Limited catfish and trout success from boats. Try Spillway Pond for catfish from shore and the rocks in dark hours for walleye. Lake Sakakawea producing scattered walleye success. Try 25 feet and deeper. Also try shallow, however. Try working main lake flats more so than inside bays with live bait. Move around, though. Some salmon success but limited salmon anglers yet. Most fish are 6 pounds or less. Most are being taken by walleye anglers.

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

N.D. river flows:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 1.89 feet; streamflow, 14.4 CFS.

*Pipestem Creek, Pingree: Creek elevation, 41.7 feet; streamflow, 68 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 16.61 feet; streamflow, 2,520 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 3.84 feet; streamflow, 242 CFS.

Numbers to know:

*N.D. Game and Fish Department, main Bismarck office: (701) 328-6300, website: (http://gf.nd.gov).

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