Jamestown Sun
Dakota Recreation Report
May 6, 2011
Patricia Stockdill
Outdoor Notes:
Devils Lake: Look for access at 6-Mile Bay, Lakewood Beach, and East Bay by Memorial Day weekend with a temporary ramp in late May on Pelican Lake.
May 15: Spring turkey season closes.
Tournaments:
Today: Missouri River, Rifle Range.
Saturday: Missouri River, Marina Bay; Lake Elsie.
May 20 & 21: Lake Oahe, Prairie Knights.
May 21: Devils Lake, 6-Mile Bay; Missouri River Graners Bottoms.
May 21 & 22: Jamestown Reservoir.
Fishing:
Devils Lake elevation, May 4: 1,453.71 feet above mean sea level (msl).
Stump Lake elevation, May 4: 1,453.27 msl.
Lake Sakakawea elevation, May 4: 1,847.8 msl; 27,000 cubic feet per second average Garrison Dam daily releases.
N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. Game Wardens: Southeastern rivers continue dropping in both levels and releases so fishing activity is improving. The best fishing is coming from smaller Red and Sheyenne river drainages and inlets. Lake Sakakawea opening up but no fishing activity yet. Turkey hunters continue anticipating an improving spring season with continued improving response from gobblers. Few snow geese left in North Dakota with only a few reports of birds north of Devils Lake. The best outdoor activity right now might be from the birding standpoint with spring migration getting in full gear.
Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Lots of angling activity around the coulees but walleye success slowed with the spawn starting to get underway and fish moving down towards the lake. Lake is ice-free but docks aren’t in place as repairs continue on area ramps.
Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Continued walleye activity in the feeder creeks and coulees but Devils Lake remains slow. Weekend winds opened up the lake. Construction continues on boat ramps in several locations.
Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Ice is off the lake but no boat activity yet. Continued walleye and northern pike success from shore in the feeder creeks and coulees. Try live bait or jigs and plastics.
Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Most activity remains at various locations along the James River with access difficult and closed in many areas to local reservoirs. Jamestown Reservoir is ice-free.
Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Anglers going to area lakes but access is difficult in many places. A dock is available at 5-Mile Corner on Jamestown Reservoir. Buchanan Bridge area unusable until water goes down. A few walleye from the river around Ypsilanti but access is difficult on the river in many places.
Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Public docks aren’t in yet on Lake Ashtabula with lake levels still high. Some activity from the rocks at the crossings.
Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Winds opened up Lake Audubon with some walleye activity from shore and boats along both east and west embankments. Lake Sakakawea north side bays also opened up. Look for ice to continue moving around and breaking up. Missouri River tailrace slowed with occasional walleye around the Washburn area.
Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: Look for northern pike activity in Lake Sakakawea back bays with much of the lake open. Garrison Dam releases increased but the Missouri River tailrace remains fair, but inconsistent, for walleye.
Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Anglers are out on the Missouri River in the Bismarck-Mandan but limited reports. Wind opened small area lakes. Some activity along the open waters of Lake Audubon.
Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No reports with limited access.
Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Some activity but dock aren’t in place.
Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Access available but limited reports.
Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: A few anglers on the water but no reports.
North Dakota river levels and streamflow, May 4:
Baldhill Creek, Dazey gage: Creek stage, 8.53 feet; streamflow, 511 cubic feet per second (cfs).
James River, Jamestown gage: River stage, 11.6 feet; streamflow, 1,770 cfs.
James River, Grace City gage: Streamflow, 1,210 cfs.
Pipestem Creek, Pingree gage: Creek stage, 8.24 feet; streamflow, 423 cfs.
Red River, Fargo gage: River stage, 28.79 feet.
Sheyenne River, Cooperstown gage: River stage, 16.1 feet; streamflow, 2,560 cfs.
Sheyenne River, Valley City gage: Streamflow, 4,230 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, recreation, hunting, fishing
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