Jamestown Sun
Dakota Recreation Report
May 20, 2011
Patricia Stockdill
Outdoor Notes:
Paddlefish season now closed with snag-and-release at the confluence only through Tuesday.
Missouri River wing walls closed to access due to high Garrison Dam releases.
June 4 & 5: Free fishing weekend.
June 8: Deer gun and muzzleloader applications due.
Tournaments:
Saturday: Devils Lake: 6-Mile Bay; New Johns Lake.
Sat. & Sun.: Jamestown Reservoir.
May 28: Devils Lake, East Bay.
June 4: Lake Audubon; Missouri River tailrace; Devils Lake, East Bay, Vince Herding Youth Fishing Derby, Red River, Kidder Recreation Area, Wahpeton.
Fishing:
Devils Lake elevation, May 18: 1,454.05 feet above mean sea level (msl).
Stump Lake elevation, May 18: 1,453.77 msl.
Lake Sakakawea elevation, May 18: 1,849.5 msl; 52,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS)Garrison Dam daily releases.
N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. Game Wardens: Dry, Red Willow, Bordulac, and Stump lakes all slow or little activity. No report from Devils Lake. Water levels finally starting to recede on some, but not all, lakes and rivers. Docks and fishing piers are just now starting to get in place on many area lakes. Fishing activity continues warming up as water temperatures start to warm. The best fishing continues to be in backwater bays for panfish and northern pike. Work inflow areas and exposed lowhead dams on area rivers. Some activity on the Red and Sheyenne rivers in the Fargo area. Missouri River running fast but some walleye success around Washburn and south around the Steckel Landing.
Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Walleye success remains spotty but look for improving activity with warmer water temperatures. Try pitching small jigs or Lindy rigs with leeches in shallow water along the bottom around rocky structure or moving current. Most anglers are working Mauvais Coulee or 6-Mile Bay.
Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Wind and weather permitting, a few more anglers are getting on Devils Lake with occasional walleye and northern pike. Try 6-Mile Bay bridge.
Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Wind, weather, and cool water temperatures limiting fishing activity.
Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Some walleye activity around the north end of 6-Mile Bay and the bridge. Look for improved success with warmer water temperatures. Work shallow in warm water areas and pitch jigs shallow.
Goose Lake, Harvey: Fair for northern pike with good lake access.
Harvey Dam, Harvey: Slow with a winter fish kill.
Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Weather permitting, lots of anglers starting to get on the water but limited reports.
Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Anglers are on the water but no reports.
Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lake levels generally back to normal with docks now in place and campgrounds open. Not many anglers out yet, however. Those going are getting occasional smallmouth bass.
Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Missouri River docks now removed in the Bismarck-Mandan area due to high water with several ramps unusable. Try small area lakes or Lake Oahe with the river running so high and fast.
Red River, River Keepers, Fargo: Water still high in the Fargo area and ramps remain closed. Some shore fishing but cooler water is limiting catches. Boaters are using landings on the Red River in Wahpeton. Try working areas off the current for good success.
Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Docks aren’t in place yet with limited activity so far.
Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Some activity but limited reports.
Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Fair for nice-sized smallmouth bass.
Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Fair for smallmouth bass.
North Dakota river levels and streamflow, May 18:
Baldhill Creek, Dazey gauge: Creek stage, 7.74 feet; 205 CFS.
James River, Jamestown gauge: River stage, 11.62 feet; 1,870 CFS.
James River, Grace City gauge: Streamflow, 643 CFS.
Pipestem Creek, Pingree gauge: Creek stage, 7.77 feet; streamflow, 350 CFS.
Red River, Fargo gauge: River stage, 20.19 feet.
Sheyenne River, Cooperstown gauge: River stage, 12.9 feet; streamflow, 1,120 CFS.
Sheyenne River, Valley City gauge: Streamflow, 1,780 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; website: (http://gf.nd.gov).
N.D. Game & Fish Department, Jamestown office: 253-6480.
RAP, Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck, website: (www.fws.gov/northdakotafieldoffice).
Tags: getting outside, outdoors, recreation, hunting, fishing
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