The Official Newspaper for Foster County

Dakota Recreation Report: October 24, 2022

Outdoor notes:

*Check all PLOTS signage before driving on with vehicles when waterfowl hunting to ensure landowner allows vehicles.

*Hunters reminded to put identification on tree stands and blinds when set up on N.D. Game & Fish Dept. WMAs.

*Waterfowl hunters reminded to follow ANS regulations when hunting from boats.

*Applications such as Onyx now have updated electronic posting information for the 2022 hunting season.

*Oct. 28: James Valley Pheasants Forever fund-raising evening, Club 1883, Jamestown, 5 p.m.

*Oct. 30: Moose season closes.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, Oct. 18: 1,449.33 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,449.45 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,833.59 MSL; 14,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) Garrison Dam average daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. game wardens: No new reports.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Fewer anglers on the water with limited reports.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Try jigging for walleye but not many anglers out.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: No new reports from area lakes.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Area lakes quiet.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Little activity throughout area lakes.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: No new reports.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Deepwater Bay continues producing walleye on the east end of Lake Sakakawea.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: 3-foot drawdown continues on Lake Audubon into Lake Sakakawea so work around the culvert by the pumping station along the U.S. Highway 83 embankment for walleye. Douglas Bay continues producing walleye in 15 to 40 feet depending on wind. Try jigging raps or jigs and minnows. Continued salmon activity from shore around Government Bay. Try pitching jigs and minnows along points or back bays in 2 to 8 feet on Lake Audubon for walleye or the east side culverts going into Sakakawea. Continued bass success, as well. Try top-water baits in the early morning hours.

*Lake Sakakawea, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Pick City: Limited activity on the Missouri River tailrace. Look for improving walleye success in shallower water with recent winds circulating water on Lake Sakakawea and potentially turning the lake over with cooler water and air temperatures. No new reports, however, after last week’s winds. Try Scoria or Government bays for salmon from shore using variety of presentations.

Hunting:

*Deer: Becoming more nocturnal but still spread out.

*Pheasants: Continued fair success in many areas.

*Waterfowl: Northern mallards starting to move into the northern tier of the state with continued good success around the Devils Lake area. Good local duck numbers around north-central N.D. Continued fair success for Canada geese and ducks around the east end of the Missouri River System with more snow geese starting to move in scattered flocks. Look for cold fronts to start moving more northern birds.

Numbers to know:

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

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

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

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