Dakota Recreation Report

[Lee Borgersen]

Dakota Recreation Report for Nov. 2, 2012

Monday: Woodcock season closes.

Nov. 9: Deer gun season opens.

Nov. 10: Bobcat hunting, trapping and archery seasons open.

Nov. 11: Unit 1 sandhill crane season closes.

Fishing:


N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Activity slowed on east-central area lakes. Limited southeastern activity but look for the possibility of a fall walleye bite if the weather stabilizes. No reports from Devils Lake or Lake Sakakawea.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Limited activity with those going to Pelican Lake still finding a few walleye.

Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Pelican Lake continues producing nice-sized walleye. Try pitching crankbaits.

Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Limited reports but anglers are still going to Pelican Lake.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Weather permitting, anglers are finding good walleye success on Pelican Lake, Minnewaukan and the Golden Highway. Try jigs and minnows.

Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No activity.

Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Not many anglers on area lakes but look for a fall walleye when people go out. Try small area lakes.

Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: No activity on Lake Sakakawea or Lake Audubon.

Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: Some northern pike and salmon success from shore on Lake Sakakawea but angler numbers are limited. Continued fair to good for walleye on the Missouri River. Try jigs or Lindy rigs down river. Lots of small walleye but sort through for keepers. Fair night bite for a few trout or salmon with some pike from shore but success isn’t what it normally is for this time of year. Try waders or from the rocks. Look for small walleye from the wing walls.

Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Limited reports with little activity on area lakes.

Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Limited activity on area lakes and the Missouri River. Try Eckroth Bottoms, Alkaline Lake or Cherry Lake for pike using herring. Lake Sakakawea slowed for salmon with the run winding down.

Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No reports.

Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Not much activity.

Red River, River Keepers, Fargo: Fishing slowed with colder weather setting in but some walleye for patient anglers in the Wahpeton area.

Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: No activity.

Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: No new reports.

Hunting:

N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Lots of waterfowl movement with the weather change throughout much of North Dakota. Fair pheasant success in central N.D. Local waterfowl moved out throughout the southeast but migrants moved in with the weather change. Scout bigger water bodies in Barnes, LaMoure and Dickey counties over to Sargent and Richland counties for a mix of mallards, snow geese, whitefronts and lesser Canada geese. Try setting decoys in harvested cornfields or get in the flight lines for pass shooting. Spotty pheasant numbers remain throughout much of the southeast. Try working CRP edges, shelterbelts and harvested cornfields. Deer continue increasing their movements.

Arrowwood NWR, Pingree: Snow goose numbers increased on the refuge and throughout the general area but fewer ducks are in the area. With wetlands drying up, remaining ducks are holding on the refuge.

Lonetree WMA, Harvey: Large movement of new waterfowl into central N.D. over the past weekend with good numbers of white geese, Canada geese and ducks in the area. Look for birds to likely stay until wetlands and lakes ice over. Good pheasant success but work areas with suitable cover.

North-central N.D.: Good numbers of waterfowl remain in the area. Small wetlands iced over but could open up again with warmer weather. Scaup are moving onto Devils Lake with mallards field-feeding.

Southeast N.D.: More waterfowl moving into the area with good success.

West-central N.D.: Lots of snow geese, whitefronts and lesser Canada geese moved into parts of McLean County with the recent snow and rain. Smaller northern potholes are icing over. Pheasant success remains good, weather permitting.

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).