Jamestown Sun
Dakota Recreation Report
July 6, 2012
Patricia Stockdill
Warden report:
Warmer temperatures are moving anglers to morning and evening hours to fish. Lots of recreational boating, especially during the heat of the day. Best fishing success remains on small area lakes more so than rivers. LaMoure, Richland, Ransom, Sargent and McIntosh county lakes continue producing smaller northern pike, walleye and even some perch. Try bright jigs with small nightcrawler bits or Gulp. Work deeper elevations off drop-offs and edges of weed lines for bigger fish with eater-sized fish coming in dawn and dusk hours. Twin Lakes, Pheasant, Diamond or Flood lakes are among the many producing good fishing. Smaller Cass County reservoirs have dropping water levels and increasing weed growth making a boat or pier fishing a necessity. Perch, bluegill and occasional crappie are active with crappie nibbles or worm pieces on a hook and bobber in the holes or edges of weed lines. Many smaller fish are stealing bait so bring plenty.
Outdoor Notes:
No fireworks on N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Wildlife Mgmt. Areas or U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Nat’l. Wildlife Refuges.
All Devils Lake ramps usable but call Grahams Island State Park, 766-4015, for road access and construction updates.
Tournaments:
Saturday: Devils Lake, East Bay.
July 14: Jamestown Reservoir, Lake Sakakawea; Wolf Creek, Devils Lake; Creel Bay, Stump Lake, Devils Lake; 6-Mile Bay.
July 20 & 21: Lake Sakakawea; N.D. Governor’s Cup Walleye Derby, Fort Stevenson State Park.
July 21: Lake Sakakawea, N.D. Junior Governor’s Cup.
Fishing:
N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Devils Lake walleye bite remains good using a variety of presentations but many are small. Stump Lake evening walleye bite is OK but slower during the day. Northern pike good throughout Devils Lake and Stump Lake. Lots of boat traffic and fireworks on area lakes so limited fishing reports. Missouri River remains fair for walleye. Lake Audubon and Lake Sakakawea also fair for walleye with some bass success in Lake Audubon, as well.
Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Fair to good success throughout most area lakes using a variety of presentations.
Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Continued good success for a variety of species throughout most area lakes. Best success is in the evening in cooler temperatures. Lots of anglers on the water.
Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Panfish and small walleye dominate most angler’s success. Try anchoring outside of the weed beds for a mix of perch and small walleye. Occasional bullhead.
Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued fair to good success.
Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Fair to good.
Red River, River Keepers, Fargo: Red River good for nice-sized catfish, including some more than 20 pounds, in the Fargo area with some large walleye taken, as well. Water temperatures are warming with better fishing in the Wahpeton area in deeper holes.
Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued fair to good success.
Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Fair to good.
N.D. rivers stream flow and river stage, July 3:
Baldhill Creek, Dazey: Creek stage, 6.3 feet; streamflow, 9.9 CFS.
James River, Grace City: River stage, 4.33 feet; streamflow, 4.3 CFS.
James River, Jamestown: River stage, 3.53 feet; streamflow, 92 CFS.
Pipestem Creek, Pingree: Creek stage, 4.96 feet; streamflow, 8.1 CFS.
Red River, Fargo: River stage, 15.05 feet.
Sheyenne River, Cooperstown: River stage, 11.38 feet; streamflow, 539 CFS.
Sheyenne River, Valley City: River stage, 5.39 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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