Dakota Recreation Report: May 16, 2022

Outdoor notes:

*Paddlefish snagging season closed but remains open for snag-and-release. Go to the Game & Fish website, (gf.nd.gov) for snagging regulations.

*Deer gun and muzzleloader applications now available. Go to the Game & Fish Dept. website to apply by the June 8 deadline.

*Many Turtle River State Park trails wet after heavy rains with some closed due to erosion. The Hollows Picnic Area road temporarily closed. Most of the campground is open but contact individual state parks for updates on the status of water hookup and dump station availability.

Tournaments:

*May 21: Devils Lake, Creel Bay.

*May 22: Lake Ashtabula, Sibley Crossing

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, May 10: 1,449.44 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.14 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,828.52 MSL; 14,600 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Several roads are underwater and washed out that would access Devils Lake northern feeder creeks and coulees so use caution and check local conditions. Devils Lake is ice-free. Recent rains creating muddy access to several east-central area lakes. Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon slow.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Good walleye success in Devils Lake feeder coulees and creeks, but consider releasing large spawning female fish and use caution on muddy roads.

*Devils Lake, Lakeview Lodge, Minnewaukan: Continued activity along Devils Lake feeder creeks and coulees. Use caution with muddy roads

*Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Try shore-fishing for walleye along the Minnewaukan Flats, but consider releasing those large spawning females.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued good walleye and pike success in Channel A. Devils Lake is ice-free.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: A few more anglers heading to area lakes. Try nightcrawlers for an early season walleye bite.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: No new reports with weather slowing activity.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Weather continuing to limit activity on area lakes, but those going are trying minnows.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: A few boats on the water with anglers trying minnows for walleye, but no reports on success. Docks will be put in once water levels stabilize.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lake remains above full pool with some campgrounds closed until water recedes. Most docks aren’t in place yet. A few anglers out, but limited reports so far.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: East end of Lake Sakakawea producing scattered walleye success using Lindy rigs, jigs and minnows, or pulling crankbaits in a variety of depths from Douglas Bay to the Highway 83 east end embankment. Lake Audubon slow.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: Improving pre-spawn walleye bite on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Try pitching jigs in Steinke Bay in 2 to 4 feet or as deep as 15 to 20 feet. Lake Audubon remains slow.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace remains generally slow. The east end of Lake Sakakawea has some boat and shore activity, but also remains generally slow

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: Mixed reports from area lakes with a little success but overall still generally slow.

N.D. rivers:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, 8.34 feet; streamflow, 1,160 CFS.

*Pembina River, Walhalla: River stage, 12.54 feet; streamflow, 7,310 CFS.

*Red River, Grand Forks: River stage, 40.49 feet; streamflow, 35,800 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 4.97 feet; streamflow, 636 CFS.

Numbers to know:

*N.D. Game and Fish Department, main Bismarck office: (701) 328-6300, website: (http://gf.nd.gov).

*N.D. Game and Fish Department, Devils Lake office: (701) 662-3617.

*N.D. Game & Fish Department, Jamestown office: (701) 253-6480.

*Report All Poachers: (701) 328-9921.