N.D. DNR Fishing reports

[Lee Borgersen]

Fishing: :fishing2:

  N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Devils Lake slowed. Try working deep humps for walleye and perch. Southeastern lakes remain steady but nothing spectacular for success. Overall, erratic weather is creating irregular patterns. However, there is steady perch success with wax worms and minnows on spoons, jigs and plain hooks in Richland County.

 Steele County anglers are marking small perch but finding limited numbers of keepers. Try jigging spoons with wax worms. Brewer Lake slow with best perch success in 15 to 20 feet using minnows and Lindy darters. Barnes, LaMoure, and Dickey county lakes continue producing walleye, pike, and perch using a variety of presentations. Drill holes and mark fish before setting up and setting dead stick or tip-up with smelt should produce some success. No reports from the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Weather permitting, a few boats are on the open water of the Missouri River tailrace, finding a few small walleye. Some pike success from shore. West end of Lake Sakakawea continues producing walleye, sauger, and pike. Lake Audubon slowed.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Spotty bluegill success on Lake Metigoshe. Some reports of pike spearing success, as well.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait, Devils Lake: Try Minnewaukan Flats, Doc Hagen’s, Fort Totten, Mission Bay or Penny Bay working structure in 10 to 20 feet with rattling baits for walleye. Some perch activity in 25 to 45 feet around the casino, East Devils Lake or Black Tiger Bay. Drill several holes and be prepared to move around. North end of 6-Mile Bay, Walford’s Bay and Lake Irvine continue producing pike.

Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Devils Lake: Walleye success slowed with a January lull, although a few anglers are still finding some nice perch.

Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Continued activity around Pelican Lake and Minnewaukan Flats.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay, Devils Lake: Perch bite slowed with best success still east in Black Tiger Bay or East Tiger Bay. Work 6 to 20 feet for walleye with best success in the early morning or late afternoon. Try Doc Hagen’s or Military Point. Pike remain scattered throughout the lake.

Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Continued fair to good success on the reservoir and small area lakes.

Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued fair to good walleye success on the reservoir. Some nice-sized crappie mixed in, as well. Perch success on small area lakes.

Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Fair walleye and perch success with most activity around the north end.

Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: More houses moving out to Garrison Bay on Lake Sakakawea with continued walleye success at Douglas, Centennial, and Steinke bays. Some pike mixed in. Watch pressure ridge around the mouth of Garrison Bay and don’t cross because of thin and dangerous ice. Lake Audubon fair for walleye around the U.S. Highway 83 embankment and East Totten Trail. Some pike, as well. No Missouri River reports.

Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: Continued Missouri River wing wall success for small walleye when backwaters aren’t iced over. Limited boat and shore activity due to cold weather. Not much success from Lake Audubon.

Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Overall fishing is in a bit of a January lull, although Coal Mine Lake is fair for pike. Antelope and Hurdsfield lakes fair for walleye and perch. Goose Lake fair for walleye, pike, and perch.

Missouri River, Dakota Tackle, Bismarck: Most activity remains on Lake Audubon. Some darkhouse spearing activity on small area lakes. Missouri River and Lake Oahe remain quiet. Mud Lake remains fair to good for perch.

Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Continued fair to good crappie success with a few walleye mixed in. Look for some pike, as well.

Pipestem Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Continued fair to good success.

Red River, River Keepers, Fargo: Fishing slow during recent cold spell but a few walleyes are still being caught at night. Fargo anglers are fishing below rock rapids when temperatures are favorable.