Dakota Recreation Report: August 28, 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, Stutsman Co .; Reule Lake, Stutsman Co .; South Hoffer Lake, Sheridan Co .; Spiritwood Lake, Stutsman Co. Advisory – Alkali Lake, Stutsman Co. Warnings: Harvey Dam, Wells Co .; Jamestown Reservoir, Stutsman Co. Go to the agency website, (deq.nd.gov) for more information and safety precautions.

*Sept 1: Dove, archery pronghorn (lottery license holders only), archery deer and mountain lion seasons open.

*Sept. 7: Early Canada goose Missouri River Zone closes.

*Sept. 9: Sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse, partridge and tree squirrel seasons open.

*Sept. 9: Sunset Triathlon, Jamestown High School, 6 p.m.

Tournaments:

*Aug. 26: Spiritwood Lake, main ramp; Devils Lake, Woodland Resort.

*Sept. 6 - 8: Devils Lake, Grahams Island State Park.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Aug. 22: 1,449.7 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.7 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,841.8 MSL; 22,100 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No report.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Look for continued fair to good walleye success.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued good success for small walleye. Cooler weather moving fish shallower but locate deep structure on warm days.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Fair to good for walleye, weather permitting.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good for walleye using spinners and bottom bouncers in 22 to 25 feet. Look for the transition to fall techniques soon.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Little activity throughout area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Angling activity in a lull with fewer people on the water and limited reports.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Try a mix of minnows and nightcrawlers with a shift to fall presentations. Most activity remains on Jamestown Reservoir.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: Fewer anglers on the water with limited reports on success.

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

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Work deep on the east end of Lake Sakakawea for walleye although occasionally a few fish are showing up shallow in the evening. No reports from Lake Audubon.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Most walleye activity is around Paradise or Independence Point using nightcrawler harnesses. Also try crankbaits. Overall bite is tougher and spotty, though, in part due changing weather fronts. Try working deep water with bait balls.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Work main lake points or sunken humps in 25 to 40 on the east end of Lake Sakakawea with Lindy rigs and bottom bouncers and minnows or nightcrawlers. Also try jigging Raps or shiver minnows. Work from Mallard Island west to Pick City and Hazen Bay on the south side. Also try Berthold Bay on the north shore. Work 25 to 30 feet on Lake Audubon with spinners and bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers on Lake Audubon for walleye. Good smallmouth bass bite using top water or swim baits in 2 to 12 feet. Decent musky bite but release all musky less than 48 inches.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Best area for walleye in the Missouri River tailrace remains in the spillway channel during the day using minnows with some nightcrawler success. Also try crankbaits. Lots of small fish. Chutes producing some catfish and ling from boats. Some walleye success from shore at night in the tailrace. Wing walls producing some catfish with walleye starting to show up. Work deep on the east end of Lake Sakakawea for walleye but keep those fish when coming from deep water. Most activity is along main lake flats with found fish throughout the water column. Salmon still around 85 feet but look for spawning fish to start showing up around the thermocline in 75 feet and deeper.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Limited activity throughout area lakes and those anglers going are finding slow success.

N.D. river flows:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 1.38 feet; streamflow, 9.11 CFS.

*Pipestem Creek, Pingree: Creek elevation, 5.24 feet; streamflow, 23.4 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 16.45 feet; streamflow, 2,250 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 3.65 feet; streamflow, 190 CFS.

Hunting:

*Early Canada goose season: Overall fair success around Devils Lake but lots of standing crops yet. A few small flocks in east-central N.D. with some hunters out in areas with harvested fields.

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.