Dakota Recreation Report: July 31, 2023

Outdoor notes:

*N.D. Dept. of Environmental Quality blue-green algae reports: Low toxin levels – Black Tiger Bay (Devils Lake), Benson Co .; Clausen Springs, Barnes Co .; Crystal Springs, Kidder & Stutsman counties; East Stump Lake, Nelson Co .; Heckers Lake, Sheridan Co .; Horsehead Lake, Kidder Co .; Lake Josephine, Kidder Co .; Moon Lake, Barnes Co .; Pipestem Reservoir, Stutsman Co .; Reule Lake, Stutsman Co .; South Hoffer Lake, Sheridan Co .; Spiritwood Lake, Stutsman Co. Advisory – Alkali Lake, Stutsman Co .; Harvey Dam, Wells Co .; Jamestown Reservoir, Stutsman Co. Go to the agency website, (deq.nd.gov) for more information and safety precautions.

*Fish don’t survive when coming up from 25 feet and deeper and the N.D. Game & Fish Dept. advises anglers keep those fish.

*Pronghorn and tundra swan applications now available. Apply online at the N.D. Game & Fish Dept. website, (gf.nd.gov).

*First come, first served deer licenses available in 5 hunting units. Go to the Game & Fish Dept. website for details.

*Aug. 2: Registration opens for Wild Outdoor Women (WOW), Lake Metigoshe State Park. Go to, (https://www.parkrec.nd.gov/events/fall-wild-outdoor-women-wow) for details and to register.

*Aug. 9: Pronghorn applications due.

Tournaments:

*Aug 5: Devils Lake, Round Lake Bay.

*Aug. 11 & 12: Red River, Hastings Landing.

*Aug. 12 & 13: Lake Sakakawea, Fort Stevenson State Park.

*Aug. 12: Devils Lake, Grahams Island State Park.

Fishing:

*Devils Lake elevation, July 25: 1,450.16 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

*Stump Lake elevation: 1,450.14 MSL.

*Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,842.42 MSL; 22,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

*N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: East side of Devils Lake has increasing aquatic vegetation. Boater and anglers also need to beware of potential areas of blue-green algae. OK walleye success using slip bobbers for small fish with better success for larger fish working 25 to 30 feet using spinners. East-central area lakes generally quiet. No new Missouri River System reports.

*Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait Shop, Devils Lake: Continued fair to good for walleye on the main lake. Try Cactus Point, the old shoreline, and Fort Totten Point. Lots of small fish with some keepers mixed in.

*Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Try trolling 20 to 30 feet with spinners and nightcrawlers or leeches or crankbaits along the golf course, Creel Bay, and Military Point for walleye. Leeches will soon be in short supply for vendors.

*Foster County area lakes, Dry Dock, Carrington: Not much activity on area lakes with most anglers going to Devils Lake.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait & Tackle, Jamestown: Activity slowed on small area lakes, although fair success on Jamestown Reservoir. Many anglers heading to Devils Lake with its ongoing walleye activity.

*Jamestown Reservoir, Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Jamestown Reservoir producing crappie and walleye in the shallows with nightcrawlers and crappie rigs. Try around 5-Mile Corner. Also try small area lakes. No reports from Pipestem Reservoir.

*Lake Ashtabula, The Hungry Pelican at the Crossing, Luverne: No new reports.

*Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Lots of walleye activity with anglers also finding a nice mix of bluegill and crappie.

*Lake Sakakawea, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Garrison: Work deep from 35 to 55 feet for walleye on the east end of Lake Sakakawea with crankbaits. Keep any fish taken from that depth, however.

*Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort, Garrison: Stable weather also stabilizing fishing activity but it’s still in deep water in 22 to 30 feet. Try working north into Good Bear Bay and along the north shore.

*Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea, Hwy. 83 Lawn & Leisure, Garrison: East end of Lake Sakakawea slowed somewhat for walleye. Work deeper with snell hooks, jigging Raps, or spinners and bottom bouncers.

*Lake Sakakawea/Lake Audubon/Missouri River, Scott’s Bait and Tackle, Pick City: Missouri River tailrace remains slow but look for improving catfish activity. Try a variety of presentations for walleye on the east end of Lake Sakakawea working deep water from the Hwy. 83 embankment west to Douglas Bay using crankbaits or live bait with heavy weights. Salmon bite remains generally slow with fish running up to 6 pounds.

*Lonetree WMA area lakes, Harvey: No new reports.

N.D. river flows:

*James River, Kensal: River stage, River stage, 1.58 feet; streamflow, 5.5 CFS.

*Pipestem Creek, Pingree: Creek elevation, 5.31 feet; streamflow, 29.1 CFS.

*Red River, Thompson: River stage, 17.35 feet; streamflow, 1,510 CFS.

*Sheyenne River, Warwick: River stage, 3.86 feet; streamflow, 248 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.