Dakota Recreation Report

[Lee Borgersen]

Dakota Recreation Report, Sept. 14, 2012
 
OUTLET RECREATION


Fishing:

N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Fishing activity slowed somewhat but low levels on the Red, Sheyenne, Wild Rice and Maple rivers continue drawing a few anglers with some walleye, catfish and northern pike success. Weeds on southeastern lakes are dying off so anglers could find better access for a fall panfish bite. Water levels are low in general.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Continued good for small walleye with some bigger fish now starting to show up.

Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Continued good small walleye success. Work structure along windy shorelines for bigger fish. Increasing perch numbers.

Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Fair to good for small walleye with occasional bigger fish mixed in. Try jigging along the east side of Pelican Lake.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Continued good for small walleye with some bigger fish now starting to show up in 10 to 20 feet along roadbeds using spinners and bottoms bouncers with nightcrawlers or Gulp. Try Pelican Lake for bigger fish.

Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not many reports.

Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Fewer anglers on the water.

Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Not much activity but those going out continue finding fair overall fair success.

Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Fewer anglers on Lake Sakakawea. Move around and try variety of depths. Walleye slower on the Missouri River with continued catfish success.

Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Limited activity. Bait shop closed for the season but campground and ramp remains open.

Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: Lake Sakakawea slowed recently, although anglers still finding some salmon success. Fish are spread from 30 to 120 feet with some long-lining from short in the dark hours with Mepps spinners. Walleye also spread out. Tray along Douglas Bay, areas around Pick City or northeast of Mallard Island. Missouri River fair to good for walleye with catfish in the chutes along with trout, salmon and walleye. Some walleye success down river.

Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Coal Mine Lake fair for pike. Hurdsfield Lake good for walleye, fair for perch. Goose Lake fair for walleye and pike. Antelope Lake fair for walleye and perch. Harvey Dam: Fair for pike.

Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Continued walleye activity around the Missouri River tailrace with OK success in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Lake Sakakawea salmon now starting to transition between deep water and shore-fishing. Try long-lining.

Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not many reports.

Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Limited angling activity.

Red River, River Keepers, Fargo: Limited reports. Decent walleye and catfish success on the river in the Wahpeton area.

Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Little activity.

Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Not much activity.

Hunting:

N.D. Game & Fish Dept. game wardens: Limited crane numbers south of Interstate-94 but some reports of birds as far south as Horsehead Lake for the Saturday opener. Best success is probably along the northern tier of the state. Better grouse success than in recent years for the opener but try working edges of lighter grass and along shelterbelts, alfalfa or hayfields. Dove numbers remain strong but cool weather may have moved birds out. Birds are decoying between roosting sites and water holes.

Lonetree WMA, Harvey: Archery deer hunters reporting fair success due in part to warm weather. Most upland bird hunters report seeing fair bird numbers with fair to good success.

North-central N.D.: Limited grouse activity yet.

Northeast N.D.: A few bow hunters out. Look for lots of ducks for the youth waterfowl season but be careful with identification.

West-central N.D.: Limited grouse hunting reports.

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).