Jamestown Sun
Dakota Recreation Report
Dec. 31, 2010
Patricia Stockdill
Outdoor Notes:
Today: Light goose, Missouri River Zone Canada goose seasons close.
Sunday: Archery deer, partridge, ruffed grouse, High Plains Duck Unit, sharp-tailed grouse, pheasant, swan, & squirrel seasons close.
Jan. 9: Fall turkey season closes.
Fishing:
Ice is never completely safe. Use caution, especially around bridges and areas with vegetation. Check local conditions before venturing onto ice. Let someone know your location and estimated return time.
Devil Lake elevation, Dec. 29: 1,451.56 feet above mean sea level (msl).
Stump Lake elevation, Dec. 29: 1,451.46 msl.
Lake Sakakawea elevation, Dec. 29: 1,841.7 msl; 20,000 cubic feet per second average Garrison Dam daily releases.
N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. Game Wardens: Heavy snow and access problems continue dominating fishing reports, although there are still some decent panfish reports across south-central lakes stretching from Sargent County to LaMoure and McIntosh counties. The ice remains suspect on many lakes so check thickness repeatedly. Barnes County and other eastern lakes are experiencing snow covering slush.
Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Snow, water, and slush on the ice is limiting access to snowmobiles. Those getting out are finding a morning and evening walleye bite. Try 6-Mile Bay, below the casino or East Bay. No perch reports.
Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Steady but nothing fast and furious for a mix of northern pike, walleye, and perch. Try 14 to 18 feet. Tracked vehicles necessary to get around on the ice.
Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Snow and access conditions permitting, anglers finding fair walleye success. Creel Bay has trails but the rest of the lake is snow-covered. An extensive trail system can’t be plowed until ice conditions improve. Try Doc Hagen’s or Walford’s Bay but snowmobile access recommended.
Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: A few anglers starting to go out but access remains difficult.
Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Some crappie and walleye success.
Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Improving ice depth but quite a bit of slush remains along the shoreline. Best access is with snowmobiles or walking. Try Sundstrom’s Landing for walleye.
Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Most activity on Lake Oahe remains at Beaver and Cattail bays with a mix of northern pike spearing and hook-and-line fishing. Snow remains a problem with best access on snowmobiles.
Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: A few anglers starting to go out but access remains difficult.
Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Some crappie and walleye success.
Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Some anglers are trying to get onto the lake but limited reports.
Snowmobile N.D. trail report:
East Central Valley (Fargo, Casselton area): Trails open and groomed with good condition. 13-inch snow depth and 7 inches recent snow.
Lake Region (Devils Lake area): 12-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed, and in good condition.
Missouri Valley (Bismarck, Linton area): 7-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed, and in good condition.
North Central (Leeds, Rugby area): 12-inch snow depth. Western portion of the system is open and groomed with good conditions. Easter portion closed due to trail preparation.
Northeast (Cavalier, Langdon, Edinburg area): 5-inch snow depth. Sections of the southwest trail are open and groomed but the northern and eastern portions remain closed due to lack of snow.
Sheyenne Valley (Jamestown, Valley City, Lisbon, Oakes area): Trails are in the process of opening and are being groomed.
Sno-Trails (McHenry & Ward counties): 18-inch snow depth. Trails opened, groomed, and in good condition.
Downhill skiing:
Bears Den Mountain, Fort Ransom: 10- to 12-inch base with all trails open and groomed. Open daily through Sunday and then on Friday through Sunday in January.
Huff Hills, Mandan: 20- to 28-inch base with all runs open. 2 lifts and Bunny Tow operating.
N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. State Parks cross-country skiing trail report. Annual or day use pass needed:
Fort Ransom, Fort Ransom: Trails open and in good condition.
Grahams Island, Devils Lake: No update available but trails are open with good snow depth and in good condition.
Lake Metigoshe, Bottineau: Loop A closed due to flowing water. Loop B open and in excellent condition. Loop C open to the border monument and to the warming house and the Loops C and D intersection. Loop D open but in poor condition. Trail areas along the international border are closed due to unsafe ice conditions.
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, hunting, fishing, skiing
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