Jamestown Sun
Dakota Recreation Report
April 29, 2011
Patricia Stockdill
Outdoor Notes:
Sunday: Paddlefish season opens.
May 15: Spring turkey season closes.
Tournaments:
May 6: Missouri River, Rifle Range.
May 7: Missouri River, Marina Bay: Lake Elsie.
Fishing:
Devils Lake elevation, April 27: 1,453.41 feet above mean sea level (msl).
Stump Lake elevation, April 27: 1,452.85 msl.
Lake Sakakawea elevation, April 27: 1,846.6 msl; 15,000 cubic feet per second average Garrison Dam daily releases.
N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. Game Wardens: Many lakes south of Interstate-94 have open water with more ice the farther north an angler goes. Some smaller southeastern rivers are starting to see some angling activity with the Wild River kicking out some nice walleye in some areas. The drawback is many Richland and Sargent county roads remain marginal at best. Devils Lake remains slow for walleye and northern pike. Missouri River slow for walleye. Some activity along the east end embankment on Lake Audubon. Lake Sakakawea has some shore-fishing activity around Wolf Creek. Look for northern pike activity to start soon.
Coal Mine Lake, Anamoose: Access remains challenging but look for improving northern pike success.
Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Lots of northern pike and walleye activity in the feeder coulees north of Devils Lake. Try plastics from shore. Lake remains iced over with limited open water along the shorelines.
Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Work just about any feeder coulee and creek going into Devils Lake for walleye and northern pike. Try casting jigs with twister tails or crankbaits. The lake remains iced-over.
Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Lots of runoff coming into Devils Lake feeder creeks and coulees with fair to good walleye success.
Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Feeder creeks and channels going into Devils Lake remain good for northern pike and walleye. Devils Lake remains iced-over. Take waders, if possible.
Goose Lake, Harvey: Fair to good for northern pike.
Harvey Dam, Harvey: Fair for northern pike.
Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Good numbers of anglers working the James River along various bridges. The reservoir remains iced over with no activity.
Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Use caution around any of the bridges on the James River with flooding. Lots of water being released from the dam so river is running high downstream. The reservoir has open water. Fishing is limited in general due to high water. Anglers are trying small area lakes where access is available.
Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lake Ashtabula is above pool yet but look for it to start dropping soon. No fishing activity yet with docks out of the water until the lake drops. The lake is ice-free.
Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Lake Sakakawea shoreline starting to open as water levels rise but not enough for shore-fishing in many areas. Missouri River starting to produce an evening walleye bite in the tailrace and wing walls. No reports from Lake Audubon.
Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: A few more anglers trying open shoreline areas of Lake Sakakawea for northern pike using herring. Also try casting rattling, jointed or flashy crankbaits. Missouri River tailrace remains fair to good in the morning or evening using minnows or nightcrawlers from boats. Also try casting crankbaits from shore off the rocks or jigging from the wing walls but the time of day seems to be key to success.
Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Missouri River starting to clear with more anglers working from Fox Island to the north. Try smaller Gulp minnows or minnows on long leaders. Also try light jigs. Look for improving northern pike activity in areas with flowing water in creeks. Try casting spoons or bobber fishing from shore.
Red River, River Keepers, Fargo: Recreational boating remains prohibited on the Red River. Be sure to wear lifejackets when necessary boat travel is necessary with exceptionally cold water conditions.
Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No activity.
Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Most ice is gone from the reservoir and the dam has minimal releases.
Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No activity.
Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: No reports.
Turkey hunting:
Southeastern N.D.: Many hunters are reporting that gobblers are starting to show more action towards calling. Look for continued improving success as the season progresses.
North Dakota river levels and streamflow, April 27:
Baldhill Creek, Dazey gage: Creek stage, 9.16 feet; streamflow, 830 cubic feet per second (cfs).
James River, Jamestown gage: River stage, 11.48 feet; streamflow, 1,730 cfs.
James River, Grace City gage: Streamflow, 1,980 cfs.
Pipestem Creek, Pingree gage: Creek stage, 9.62 feet; streamflow, 926 cfs.
Red River, Fargo gage: River stage, 31.73 feet.
Sheyenne River, Cooperstown gage: River stage, 19.2 feet.
Sheyenne River, Valley City gage: Streamflow, 6,210 cfs.
Sharp-tailed grouse observation blinds. Call for free reservations:
—Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, Pingree, 285-3341.
—J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, Upham, 768-2548.
—Lonetree WMA, Harvey, 324-2211.
—Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Moffit, 387-4397.
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, hunting, fishing, recreation
More from around the web
RSS Feeds