Dakota recreation report for June 24, 2011

Jamestown Sun

Dakota Recreation Report

June 24, 2011

Patricia Stockdill

Outdoor Notes:

Fall turkey applications now available. Applications due July 6.

Usable Devils Lake ramps: Round Lake, Pelican Lake, 6-Mile Bay (Schwab), Creel Bay, Spirit Lake Casino. Grahams Island State Park ramp usable but access is day-to-day. Call (701) 766-4015 for updates.

Marginal Missouri River ramps: Steckel, Fort Rice. All other river ramps closed.

Idle speed only from 1,000 feet south of the Steckel boat ramp on the Missouri River to MacLean Bottoms, including MacLean Bottoms. Area also closed to night boat activity from sundown to sunrise.

Usable Lake Oahe ramps: Hazelton, Beaver Bay, Walker Bottoms, Cattail Bay, Langelier’s Bay.

Tournaments:

Friday through Sunday: Devils Lake.

July 2: Devils Lake, East Bay.

July 6: Devils Lake.

Fishing:

Devils Lake elevation, June 22: 1,454.36 feet above mean sea level (msl).

Stump Lake elevation, June 22: 1,453.93 msl.

Lake Sakakawea elevation, June 22: 1,854.3 msl; 150,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. Game Wardens: White bass fair at Lake Ashtabula with some perch mixed in. Jamestown Reservoir still slow. In general, though, many southeastern lakes are producing a mix of northern pike, small perch and sporadic walleye success, including Lake Ashtabula and other Barnes, LaMoure, Cass, Richland, and Sargent County lakes. Rain and cooler temperatures, however, are creating a lack of stability and consistency. Generally try the edge of the weed lines with live bait or trolling in the transition zones. Move around if the bite isn’t on, though. An influx of water in the Red, Sheyenne, and Maple rivers continues to create muddy river conditions and poor shore-fishing access, as well as limiting ramp access. Dry Lake near Bordulac fair for walleye but sort through the small ones for the keepers. Coe Lake, eastern Eddy County, fair for walleye and perch. No report from Devils Lake. Lake Audubon fair for walleye but somewhat inconsistent success. Lake Sakakawea producing occasional walleye in shallow water. Try various back bays.

Coal Mine Lake, Anamoose: Fair for northern pike.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Most activity remains on Pelican Lake for walleye. Try pitching crankbaits in the shallows or slip bobbers. Old Mil and New Mil bays on the Main Lake producing walleye in the shallow pitching crankbaits. Also try Howard’s Bay. Most white bass activity is on East Bay.

Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Lots of small walleye with most activity still in shallow back bays and windy shorelines. Try pitching crankbaits, spinners or slip bobbers. Good for northern pike throughout most of the lake.

Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Pelican Lake and Main Lake shorelines continue producing walleye and northern pike. Try Lake Irvine for walleye.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Fair to good for walleye. Try pitching crankbaits, slip bobbers or jigs in the shallows or trees. Work from 5 to 12 feet around Old Mil or New Mil bay and the north end of Walford’s Bay. East Bay continues producing walleye. Good northern pike success throughout the entire lake.

Goose Lake, Harvey: Fair to good for northern pike and walleye. Sheyenne River fair for northerns where access is available.

Harvey Dam, Harvey: Slow.

Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Heavy rains continue limiting access on the reservoir.

Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Activity is light with only 1 ramp on the reservoir.

Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Continued fair for small walleye and bass with OK perch success. Limited northern pike activity. Weeds starting to show up along the surface so look for more boat fishing rather than shore-fishing.

Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Continued fair to good for walleye on Lake Audubon. Fishing improving somewhat on Lake Sakakawea with some northern pike activity in the back bays.

Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: A few more anglers finding better success, including a mix of sauger and smallmouth bass. Overall success is still somewhat slow, although look for more activity with warmer water temperatures.

Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: Lake Audubon remains fair to good but somewhat inconsistent for walleye. Try spinners or jigs and nightcrawlers or leeches. Lake Sakakawea has limited walleye success. Those taken are either in shallow water using jigs and minnows, pitching towards shore and reeling back or try 28 feet with slow Lindy rig presentations. Overall, walleye activity is slow. Good for 3- to 5-pound northern pike from shore or boats.

Missouri River & area lakes, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Some northern pike starting to show up from the back bays of Lake Isabel. Overall fair but spotty for small pike. Lake Etta producing pike with most activity on the west shore. Also try Rice Lake for walleye and pike. Access Alkaline Lake from the south due to access problems on the north road. Access Dry Lake by Ashley from the west side.

Red River, River Keepers, Fargo: Fargo-Moorhead ramps open but still muddy and Red River remains high. Fish are starting to bite but no outstanding reports, just slow but steady activity. Try cut bait for cats.

Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No access and activity with high water.

Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Some crappie activity around the bridges above the reservoir.

Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued walleye and northern pike success in the evening.

Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Fair for bass with continued walleye activity in the evening.

North Dakota river levels and streamflow, June 22:

Baldhill Creek, Dazey gauge: Creek stage, 7.35 feet; streamflow, 115 CFS.

James River, Jamestown gauge: River stage, 11.34 feet; streamflow, 1,730 CFS.

James River, Grace City gauge: Streamflow, 174 CFS.

Pipestem Creek, Pingree gauge: Creek stage, 6.62 feet; streamflow, 180 CFS.

Red River, Fargo gauge: River stage, 19.72 feet; streamflow, 5,050 CFS.

Sheyenne River, Cooperstown gauge: River stage, 11.76 feet; streamflow, 695 CFS.

Sheyenne River, Valley City gauge: Streamflow, 1,310 CFS.

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