Jamestown Sun
Dakota Recreation Report
May 11, 2012
Patricia Stockdill
Outdoor Notes:
All Devils Lake ramps usable.
Deer applications now available.
May 20: Spring turkey season closes.
Tournaments:
Friday: Missouri River, Hazelton.
May 18 & 19: Missouri River.
May 19 & 20: Jamestown Reservoir.
May 19: Devils Lake, Pelican Lake; Missouri River; Fort Rice; Nelson Lake.
Fishing:
Devils Lake elevation, May 9: 1,453.4 feet above mean sea level (msl).
Stump Lake elevation, May 9: 1,453.34 msl.
Lake Sakakawea elevation, May 9: 1,835.7 msl; 26,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.
N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Increasing fishing activity and success in the southeast with river levels stabilizing. Catfish and walleye remain steady with good numbers of eater-sized catfish biting on live bait. Nightcrawlers and minnows are producing well but also try cut bait, goldeye or sucker minnows working the outside of the river bends off faster current for bigger fish. Steady walleye success in the Fargo portion of the Red River, as well as the Wahpeton area. Try jigs and minnows in the afternoon after 4 p.m. to sundown. River levels are within the banks but docks and ramps could become marginal with any rise. Maple, Sheyenne, Rush, Wild Rice and smaller rivers and streams are seeing the best action in recent years with low head dams a good location. Also try feeder creeks. Brewer and Casselton lakes marginal for panfish. No reports from the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Fair catfish success from shore at Parshall Bay. Paddlefish success is good but be aware of media releases for the season to potentially close early.
Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Continued activity on the west side of Devils Lake using shallow baits or crankbaits in 1 to 5 feet. Good numbers of pike with anglers working harder for walleye. Look for improving walleye success with warmer water temperatures.
Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Continued pike success with some walleye mixed in using crankbaits on Pelican Lake. Inconsistent weather patterns and lingering, cool water temperatures is creating inconsistent success, however. Small walleye around the bridges using jigs and minnows from shore and boats.
Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Pelican Lake remains fair to good for walleye and pike.
Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Fair to good for pike working Pelican Lake, Mauvais Coulee or 6-Mile Bay using slip bobbers and leeches. Slower presentations seem best, although a few fish are coming with crankbaits. Walleye fair. Look for improving success with warming temperatures.
Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Somewhat slow success.
Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Lots of activity on the James River and reservoir. Look for a mix of walleye, crappie and perch.
Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Weather permitting, a few more anglers are on the lake and finding a mix of crappie, smallmouth bass and 1-pound walleye. Most activity remains from shore because of cooler water temperatures. Bass biting throughout much of the day but walleye are feeding more towards early and late evening.
Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Limited activity on Lake Sakakawea but some pike and walleye success continues from shore, weather permitting. Missouri River remains fair to good.
Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Limited activity but ramp and docks are in place.
Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River remains fair to good for walleye from boats using jigs and minnows or crankbaits. Good numbers of small fish with some bigger keepers mixed in. A smattering of trout and salmon mixed in, as well. Best shore success is from the wing walls using jigs and minnows or plastics. Lake Sakakawea slow.
Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Weather permitting, continued activity on the Missouri River. Look for fish to move with changing river levels. Try casting spoons for pike on small area lakes, including Cherry Lake or Moffitt Creek.
Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Limited reports.
Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Increasing activity with fair success.
Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Look for improving success with better weather.
Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Overall fair success with more anglers on the water.
Missouri River ramps:
All ramps usable except Hoge’s Island ramp is marginal and Maclean Bottoms is closed. Kimball Bottoms ramp is slide-in metal.
N.D. rivers streamflow and river stage, May 9:
Baldhill Creek, Dazey: Creek stage, 6.81 feet; streamflow, 45 CFS.
James River, Jamestown: River stage, 4.3 feet; streamflow, 169 CFS.
James River, Grace City: River stage, 4.95 feet; streamflow, 37 CFS.
Pipestem Creek, Pingree: Creek stage, 5.52 feet; streamflow, 73 CFS.
Red River, Fargo: River stage, 15.8 feet.
Sheyenne River, Cooperstown: River stage, 11.01 feet; streamflow, 383 CFS.
Sheyenne River, Valley City: River stage, 6.09 feet.
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 & Wildlife Service, Bismarck, website: (www.fws.gov/northdakotafieldoffice).
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