Dakota recreation report for February 5, 2010

Jamestown Sun Dakota Recreation Report Feb. 5, 2010

Hunting update:

Wednesday: Spring turkey applications due.

Tournaments:

Feb. 13: Lake LaMoure; Lake Audubon.

Feb. 20: Jamestown Reservoir; Devils Lake; Mundt Lake.

Feb. 21: Silver Lake.

Fishing:

Devils Lake elevation, Feb. 3: 1,449.99 feet above mean sea level (msl).

Stump Lake elevation, Feb. 3: Unavailable.

Lake Sakakawea elevation, Feb. 3: 1,838.4 msl; 17,500 cubic feet per second average Garrison Dam daily releases.

N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. Game Wardens: Devils Lake fairly slow. Many area reservoirs will begin drawdown in February, creating sagging ice conditions along shorelines and unstable downstream river conditions. The once steady bite on small lakes in Richland, Cass, and Sargent counties seems to have slowed but look for more anglers out with stable weather. Spearing on south-central and southeastern lakes remains steady but not hot. Remember to mark holes. Lake Audubon remains quiet. Some walleye and perch activity around Centennial Bay of Lake Sakakawea.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Lighter angling activity on the lake with those going out finding slow to fair walleye and perch success. Lake has snow, slush, and water with some access available. Snowmobiles recommended for best mobility around the lake.

Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Fair but spotty for walleye, northern pike, and perch on the west end of Devils Lake. Access best is with snowmobiles.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay: Lots of activity with good success during last week’s tournament but overall walleye and perch success is slow to fair. Try points, including those along Creel Bay. Also try East Bay for perch and walleye or by the dome house. Some trails plowed but check local conditions before going out or use snowmobiles.

Goose Lake, Harvey: Limited access with snowmobiles recommended.

Harvey Dam, Harvey: Little activity.

Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Limited activity with storm although a few anglers venturing out. Access difficult on area lakes

Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Access is OK with fair walleye success. Small area lakes have difficult access in most areas, however.

Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: A few more anglers heading to the lake with snowmobile access, although there’s vehicle access to the ice at Sundstrom’s but anglers are walking from there. Some success but no reports on species.

Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Little activity.

Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Fair success with limited access. Snowmobiles and portable houses recommended.

Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No new updates.

Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: A few anglers accessing the lake with snowmobiles but no reports on success.

Snowmobile report, Feb. 3:

Lake Region (Devils Lake area): 8-inch snow depth. Trail open, groomed, and in good condition. Beware of thin ice on lakes.

May-Port (Mayville-Portland areas): 9-inch snow depth. Trail open, groomed, and in good condition.

North Central (Rugby, Leeds): 8-inch snow depth. Trail open, groomed, and in good condition. Trails 1, 2, and 3 closed.

Sheyenne Valley (Jamestown, Valley City, Lisbon, Oakes): 8-inch snow depth. Trail open, groomed, and in good condition with exception of trails J-1, J-2, J-3, V-1, and V-3, which aren’t groomed.

N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. cross-country ski report, Feb. 3:

Fort Ransom, Fort Ransom: Trails packed and tracked with light snow early in the week and in good condition.

Grahams Island, Devils Lake: Trails tracked and packed and in great condition with about a 10 to 12-inch base.

Downhill ski report, Feb. 3:

Bears Den Mountain, Fort Ransom: 24-inch base with all runs open and lifts operating. Open Friday through Sunday.

Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau: 15 to 20-inch base with groomed powder conditions. 3 inches new snow in the week. All runs open, along with Terrain Park. All lifts operating.

Huff Hills, Mandan: 1529-inch base with all runs and Terrain Park open. 2 lifts operating.

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.

Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bismarck, Web site: (www.fws.gov/northdakotafieldoffice).

Tags: getting outside, outdoors, recreation, report, fishing