Dakota Recreation Report: October 2, 2023

Outdoor notes:

*Be sure of proper bird identification with partridge, grouse, and young pheasants.

*Please park out of the way of other vehicles and farm equipment on prairie roads and trails.

*Oct. 4: Pierce Co. Ducks Unlimited dinner, Rugby Eagles Club, 5:30 p.m.

*Oct. 6: Pronghorn season opens.

*Oct. 7: Pheasant season opens.

*Oct. 12: Devils Lake Ducks Unlimited dinner, Devils Lake KC Club, 5:30 p.m.

*Oct. 14: Turkey season opens.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Sept. 26: 1,449.59 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.56 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,840.42 MSL; 17,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

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

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Limited reports but look for continued small walleye activity.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued small walleye success.

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Weather permitting, anglers continue finding fair walleye success. Generally smaller walleye but occasional bigger one mixed in.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Lots of small walleye yet in 8 to 16 feet but also try deeper in 22 to 32 feet with spinners. Some crankbait activity, as well. Improving pike success in shallower water.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Not much activity throughout area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Area lakes remain quiet.

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

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: Facilities closed for construction.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Limited angler numbers but look for continued crappie and perch activity.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Anglers switching to minnows for walleye but depths remain deep on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Try around Douglas, Deepwater, and Steinke bays. No Lake Audubon reports.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Walleye success remains challenging on both Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon with anglers still trying to work deep.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River remains OK for walleye in the spillway channel during the day. Sort through for keepers. Honey hole producing a variety of sizes but chutes remain slow from boats. Try the honey hole and boat ramp from shore for OK success with overall sporadic activity, including from the wing walls. Work deep on the east end of Lake Sakakawea off the points for walleye. Try the outside of Douglas Bay on the north shore or Government Bay to the Riverdale Bluffs on the south side. Some salmon starting to move into the bays, such as Government, Intake, and Scoria bays. Try casting spoons or crankbaits from shore or boats. Salmon seem to be throughout the water column but not many anglers working deep water now.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Area lakes remain quiet.

Hunting:

*Deer: Cooler weather could bring more deer movement.

*Waterfowl: Limited at best migration so far throughout the state.

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.