Jamestown Sun
Dakota Recreation Report
Jan. 1 2010
Patricia Stockdill
Closing hunting season dates:
Today: Light geese, Missouri River Zone Canada goose.
Sunday: Pheasant, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, partridge, tree squirrels, archery deer, High Plains Duck Unit.
Jan. 10: Fall turkey.
Fishing:
Ice is never completely safe. Use caution, especially in areas with vegetation and around bridges and check conditions locally before venturing out.
Devils Lake elevation, Dec. 30: 1,449.91 feet above mean sea level (msl).
Stump Lake elevation, Dec. 30: 1,450.11 msl.
Lake Sakakawea elevation, Dec. 30: 1,840 msl; 16,000 cubic feet per second Garrison Dam average daily releases.
N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. Game Wardens: Many small and mid-sized reservoirs in southern, south-central, and southeastern N.D. had an active panfish and walleye bite prior to the holiday storm. Spearing activity remains somewhat slow. Spiritwood Reservoir opens Jan. 1 to spearing. Lake Audubon remains slow for walleye.
Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: has some snow but anglers can still get around. Not much driving yet. Fair to good walleye success. Try Mission or East bays, north end Six-Mile Bay, Doc Hagen’s and other traditional walleye spots.
Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Some activity at Mauvais Coulee as well as Pelican Lake. Most access is with snowmobiles.
Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay: Fair for northern pike at Walford’s Bay with walleye activity around Creel Bay. More snow on the lake now with access mostly with 4-wheelers and snowmobiles. Lake Irvine producing northerns and walleye.
Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Weather slowed recent fishing activity. Prior to the storm, however, anglers still found good walleye success.
Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Anglers going out but no reports. Watch for water coming up through the ice with the weight of the snow. Several small area lakes were producing perch prior to the storm.
Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lots of snow on the lake limiting access. Look for more activity over the weekend.
Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Limited reports due to last weekend’s weather limiting access and opportunities to get out on the ice.
Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: Lake Audubon spotty and inconsistent with only a few walleye taken. Try 18 to 30 feet. Activity limited after the storm, however. Weather permitting, continued walleye activity in the honey hole. No activity on the wing walls. Some activity in the back bays of Lake Sakakawea but no reports on success. Water turned murky recently.
Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Activity slowed during Christmas and the storm but more anglers getting out during the week. Beaver Bay producing small northern pike with occasional walleye on Lake Oahe.
Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No new updates.
Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Lake now open for spearing.
Snowmobile ND report, Dec. 30:
Trails remained closed as of mid-week, pending trail preparation.
N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. cross-country ski report, Dec. 30:
Fort Ransom, Fort Ransom: About 15 inches of snow on the ground. Trails packed and groomed.
Grahams Island, Devils Lake: About 9 inches new snow and trails packed and tracked. Most snow stayed although there’s a couple of areas where the wind blew it down.
Downhill ski report, Dec. 30:
Bears Den Mountain, Fort Ransom: Ski area open daily through Sunday. No report on trail conditions.
Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau: 10- to 14-inch base with packed powder conditions. All runs open. Open daily through Sunday. Night skiing starts Jan. 7.
Huff Hills, Mandan: All 17 runs open with 14- to 20-inch base. 12 inches powdery snow from the holiday storm. 2 lifts and 1 tow operating. Open daily through Sunday.
Numbers to know:
N.D. Game & Fish Department, main Bismarck office: 328-6300; Web site: (http://gf.nd.gov).
N.D. Game & Fish Department, Jamestown office: 253-6480.
Tags: getting outside, outdoors, recreation, report
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