Dakota Recreation Report: Sept. 4, 2023

Outdoor notes:

*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.

*Sept. 15: Early Canada Goose Western Zone closes.

*Sept. 16 - 17: Veterans and active military ducks, coot and merganser season.

*Sept. 16: Sandhill crane season opens.

Tournaments:

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

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Aug. 29: 1,449.55 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.73 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,841.63 MSL; 22,200 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game and Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: No new reports from area lakes, Devils Lake, or the Missouri River System.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued good success for small walleye throughout much of Devils Lake.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Anglers continue finding lots of small walleye working structure with a mix of minnows and nightcrawlers.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good for walleye with increasing numbers of anglers switching to vertical jigging along rock piles and towers. Still some spinner and bottom bouncer activity with improving success on minnows. Try nightcrawlers, as well.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Area lakes generally quiet.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Angling activity slowing on area lakes although anglers still on the water are using a mix of minnows and nightcrawlers transitioning to fall presentations.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: No new reports.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Limited activity on the lake.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Continue working deep water with slow presentations for walleye throughout the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Overall slow to fair success at best. Some salmon success on the south side around Garrison Dam working 85 feet over 95 to 100 feet of water. No Lake Audubon reports.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Work 30 to 40 feet for walleye with most success on nightcrawlers but look for the fall transition to minnows starting. Some nice-sized fish showing up. Try from Beacon Point to Deepwater Bay and Independence Point.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Work main lake points or sunken humps on the east end of Lake Sakakawea in 25 to 40 feet with plain Lindy rigs and bottom bouncers for walleye. Try around Mallard Island west to Pick City and Hazen Bay along the south shore or Berthold Bay on the north side. Also try jigging Raps. Try 25 to 30 feet with spinners and bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers for walleye on Lake Audubon. Continued smallmouth bass success in 2 to 12 feet with swim or top water baits.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace remains fair for walleye at night from the rocks casting crankbaits. OK boat success for small walleye in the spillway channel with some catfish showing up in the chutes. Wing walls continue producing chutes. East end of Lake Sakakawea slow to fair for walleye in 40 to 50 feet along drop-offs wherever smelt concentrating. Work 75 to 100 feet over deep water for salmon with overall fair success at best. Try the face of the dam or along the Riverdale.

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

Hunting:

*Doves: Birds starting to bunch. Look for areas with water and food edges.

*Early Canada goose season: Some success around east-central areas and Devils Lake.

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.