Jamestown Sun
Dakota Recreation Report
Feb. 4, 2011
Patricia Stockdill
Outdoor Notes:
Spring turkey applications now available.
Sat. & Sun.: NDBA State 300 qualifying archery tournament, Metro Rec Center, Fargo.
Feb.16: Spring turkey applications due.
Tournaments:
Saturday: Rice Lake.
Feb. 12: Lake LaMoure; Mundt Lake.
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.
Devils Lake elevation, Feb. 2: 1,451.68 feet above mean sea level (msl).
Stump Lake elevation, Feb. 2: 1,451.61 msl.
Lake Sakakawea elevation, Feb. 2: 1,839.8 msl; 25,500 cubic feet per second average Garrison Dam daily releases.
N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. Game Wardens: Reminder, it’s illegal to chase, harass, flush, and pursue wildlife with snowmobiles, including coyotes. No reports from southeastern lakes. Missouri River wing walls producing walleye but tailrace success slowed. Releases have increased from Garrison Dam. River access and activity is weather dependent. Lake Audubon producing a few northern pike, walleye, and perch. Vehicle access to the lake limited to East Totten boat ramp.
Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Prior to the cold front, anglers were finding fair to good walleye success in 8 to 14 feet on north of 6-Mile Bay. Humps around Fort Totten and in front of the casino are also still producing walleye. Also try Stromme’s Addition. Work structure, points or old shorelines in 15 to 25 feet in those areas. Some perch success around the towers, mouth of Creel Bay or Swanson’s Point in 34 to 44 feet. Access remains with snowmobiles or tracked vehicles.
Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Slush conditions are improving somewhat on the lake but limited activity since last week’s tournament.
Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Limited activity with few reports.
Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Activity is slower but there’s some plowed trails on Creel and Walford’s bays for accessing the lake. Overall, fishing is tougher but anglers are still finding OK walleye success. Not many perch but those taken are quality fish.
Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Activity remains light and limited.
Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Some walleye activity near the dam on Jamestown Reservoir.
Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: No new reports with limited activity.
Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: A few northern pike taken on Lake Sakakawea. Some activity late last week on the east end of Lake Audubon, along with the Totten Trail area. Access could be more difficult after recent snowfall. Weather permitting the Missouri River tailrace remains fair for nice-sized walleye.
Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: No reports from Lake Audubon with access remaining difficult on both Audubon and Lake Sakakawea. Recent cold weather is really limiting activity, but the Missouri River tailrace remains fair to good but inconsistent for walleye, weather and wind permitting. Try jigs and minnows or Gulp. Also try the rocks using crankbaits. Lots of small walleye from the wing walls. Lower the non-keepers back, don’t throw them, which kills the fish.
Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Most activity centers around Beaver or Cattail bays on Lake Oahe. Some northern pike success along Moffit Creek south of Sterling.
Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Limited activity.
Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Access difficult with no activity.
Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not many new reports.
Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: A few anglers on the lake but limited success.
Snowmobile N.D. trail report:
Cattail (Steele, Cass, and Traill counties): 15-inch base. Trail open, groomed and in good condition.
East Central Valley (Fargo, Casselton area): Trails open and in fair to good condition. 16-inch base.
Lake Region (Devils Lake area): 13-inch base. Trails open and in good condition with some portions groomed. Snow is fluffy and wind-blown.
May-Port (Mayville, Portland area): 12-inch base. Trail open, groomed, and in good condition.
Missouri Valley (Bismarck, Linton area): 8-inch base. Trails open and in fair to good condition but won’t be groomed this week.
North Central (Leeds, Rugby area): 12-inch base. Trails open and good condition with some portions groomed.
Northeast (Cavalier, Langdon, Edinburg area): 8-inch base. Trails open and in fair to good condition. Grooming will take place when wind and blowing snow decreases.
Peace Garden (Bottineau, Rolla area): 8-inch base. Trails open, groomed, and in good condition. Several sections re-routed due to thin ice.
Red River North (Grafton): 8-inch base. Trails open, groomed, and in good condition.
Red River South (Grand Forks, Fordville, Manvel area): 10-inch base. Trails open, in good condition, and portions groomed if weather permits.
Sargent County (Sargent and Richland counties): 13-inch base. Trails open and will be groomed, wind and weather permitting.
Sheyenne Valley (Jamestown, Valley City, Lisbon, Oakes area): 10-inch base. Trails open and in fair to good condition but won’t be groomed.
Sno-Trails (McHenry & Ward counties): 19-inch base. Trails opened with some sections groomed, and in good condition.
Southern Valley (Wahpeton, Mooreton area): 12-inch base. Trails open, in good condition, and groomed.
Downhill skiing:
Bears Den Mountain, Fort Ransom: All runs open with 4 inches of new snow atop 12-inch base. Open Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday.
Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau: 10- to 18-inch base with packed powder conditions and 8 inches new snow. All lifts and runs open, including Terrain Park and 3 tubing runs. Open Thursday through Sunday with Thursday and Friday night skiing.
Frostfire Ski Area, Walhalla: 25- to 35-inch base with light dusting of snow. Open Thursday through Sunday.
Huff Hills, Mandan: 24- to 30-inch base. All runs open with 2 lift 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: About 4 inches of windblown snow over the past weekend but trails in good condition and will be groomed for the weekend, weather permitting. Base of about 32 inches.
Grahams Island, Devils Lake: Trails open and in good condition with approximately 36-inch base.
Icelandic, Cavalier: Trails will be groomed, weather permitting, and in good condition with a light dusting of new snow.
Lake Metigoshe, Bottineau: Loop A closed with poor ice. Loop B open, groomed, and in good condition. Loop C open, groomed to the boundary marker, and in excellent condition. Loop D open, groomed to the international boundary, and in good condition. Sledding hill groomed and in good condition. Trail head warming house open daily from 8 a.m. to dark. Cross-country ski rentals available daily.
Turtle River, Arvilla: Trails in fair condition with a light dusting of snow but will be groomed before the weekend, weather permitting. Deer have found the tracks easier walking, as well.
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.
RAP, Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121.
Tags: getting outside, outdoors, fishing, hunting, recreation, wildlife
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