OUTDOOR NOTES
Friday: 8:30 nature photo hike, Lake Metigoshe State Park.
Sunday: 10 a.m. canoeing, Lake Metigoshe State Park.
Sept. 1: Dove season opens.
Sept. 2: Mountain lion Zone 1 and 2 season opens.
Tournaments: Saturday: Lake Sakakawea, Saka-kawea State Park; Lake Sakakawea, Indian Hills Resort; Missouri River, Lewis & Clark Bridge, Williston.
Fact Box
The Dakota Recreation Report is compiled by Patricia Stockdill, a freelance writer who lives in Garrison.
FISHING
N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: East Devils Lake producing eater-sized walleye. Missouri River fair for walleye. Lake Audubon slowed for walleye. Fair walleye success on the east end of Lake Sakakawea. Work shallow in the trees.
Beulah, Dakota Waters Resort, Lake Sakakawea: The walleye bite is on with lots of activity in 12 to 18 feet using Lindy rigs or spinners with nightcrawlers. Most success remains west around Beaver and Renner bays on the south side or Nishu Bay and the intake on the north side. Some northern pike, smallmouth bass and perch mixed in.
Bismarck, Dakota Tackle, Missouri River / area lakes: Anglers fishing the Missouri River tailrace, accessing from Stanton. However, the tailrace ramp is now open. Lots of variety of fish in slack water. Some activity on Lake Oahe and Fish Creek but limited reports.
Bottineau, Four Seasons, Lake Metigoshe: Continued good bluegill and northern pike activity with improving walleye success. Work 12 to 15 feet for walleye using nightcrawlers or minnows. Work weed beds for bluegill.
Bottineau, Lake Metigoshe State Park, Lake Metigoshe: Lake Metigoshe remains good for small bluegill with a few nice-sized ones showing up.
Coleharbor, Totten Trail Restaurant, Lakes Audubon and Saka-kawea: Lake Audubon remains fair for nice-sized with the best success in the morning or late afternoon. East end of Lake Sakakawea improving for walleye.
Devils Lake, Ed's Bait, Devils Lake: Work deeper water in 20 to 30 feet for walleye trolling with spinners and bottom bouncers and nightcrawlers. Try East Bay by Stromme's Addition or west along the Golden Highway in the Minnewaukan Flats. Continued northern pike activity in the shallows, however try trolling crankbaits in deeper water for bigger pike. Work tree lines for white bass.
Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued good success for small walleye using spinners and bottom bouncers in 11 to 20 feet. Also try slip bobbers in the trees or weed beds. Look for bigger fish from Pelican Lake. Northern pike remain good in the shallows.
Dickinson, Andrus Out- doors, Lake Sakakawea / area lakes: McKenzie and Mossett bays on Lake Saka-kawea fair to good for walleye. Try around the beacon or south shore in 18 to 25 feet using spinners and nightcrawlers. New Town area and Hunts-Along Bay remain good for walleye in 10 to 15 feet using spinners and nightcrawlers. Also try the south side of Van Hook Arm. Missouri River tailrace producing nice-sized walleye.
Foxholm, Upper Souris NWR, Lake Darling: Lots of activity at the Outlet Fishing Area casting jigs and nightcrawlers for walleye. Moderate boat numbers on Lake Darling.
Garrison, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audu-bon and Sakakawea: Lots of activity on the Missouri River with anglers accessing at Stanton and working north and south from there. Work any slack water but anglers are finding nice walleye. East end of Lake Sakakawea fair for walleye. Try 8 to 25 feet along main lake drop-offs or humps with spinners with nightcrawlers or small crankbaits. Also try minnows with some anglers now having success with them.
Garrison, Indian Hills Resort, Lake Sakakawea: Try working inside the weed line in 7 feet west of Pepsi Point with Lindy rigs or spinners and nightcrawlers. Other walleye activity is spotty.
Garrison, Six-Mile Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea: Mixed reports for Lake Audu-bon. Try spinners and nightcrawlers or leeches.
Harvey, Coal Mine Lake & area lakes: Coal Mine Lake and Harvey Dam fair for northern pike. Goose Lake continues producing walleye and pike.
Mandan, Southside MVP, Missouri River / area lakes: Missouri River good for walleye around the tailrace and Stanton. Try Lindy rigs and nightcrawlers. Lake Oahe fair but inconsistent for walleye from Fort Rice to the south.
Mandaree, McKenzie Bay Marina, Lake Saka-kawea: Fair for walleye with most activity around the mouth using spinners and nightcrawlers.
New Town, Scenic 23, Lake Sakakawea: Continued walleye success around the south end of the Van Hook Arm, including Shell, Independence and Deepwater Bay. Also work the upper end in deep water.
New Town, Van Hook Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea: Fair but inconsistent walleye success working deeper in 20 to 40 feet. Work north of the islands on windy days, otherwise remains farther south in deeper water. Try spinners and nightcrawlers.
Pick City, Scott's Bait & Tackle, Lake Saka-kawea / Missouri River: Lake Sakakawea continues producing walleye using Lindy rigs or spinners and bottom bouncers and nightcrawlers. Also try jigging. Depth varies from 8 to 12 or 22 feet using crankbaits. Work the bays, including Douglas or Steinke bays on the north side as well as the south side. Missouri River remains fair to good for walleye. Occasional salmon.
Williston, Scenic Sports, Lake Saka-kawea / Missouri River / area lakes: White Earth Bay on Lake Sakakawea slow to fair for walleye with somewhat better success farther west around Tobacco Garden. Kettle Lake producing good numbers of small perch. A good lake to take children fishing. Also try Kota-Ray.
LAKE LEVELS
Devils Lake elevation, Aug. 17: 1,454.21 feet above mean sea level.
Stump Lake elevation, Aug. 17: 1,454.18 feet.
Lake Sakakawea elevation, Aug. 17: 1,847.8 feet; 85,000 cubic feet per second average (cfs) Garrison Dam daily releases.
RAMP UPDATE
Lake Darling ramp update: All ramps open on Lake Darling, along with the Outlet Fishing Area and Auto Tour Route. Hiking trails are open but have debris and dirt. Beaver Lodge Canoe Trail is closed.
Usable Devils Lake ramps: Round Lake, Pelican Lake, 6-Mile Bay, Creel Bay, Spirit Lake Casino. Grahams Island State Park ramp is usable but access is day-to-day. Call 766-4015 for updates.
Usable Missouri River ramps: Tailrace, Stanton, UPA, Steckel. Tailrace will open soon. Idle speed only from 1,000 feet south of the Steckel boat ramp on the Missouri River to MacLean Bottoms, including MacLean Bottoms. No boating from sunset to sunrise in that same area.
STREAMFLOWS
North Dakota river levels and streamflow, Aug. 17:
Des Lacs River gauge, Burlington: River stage,11.54 feet.
Des Lacs River gauge, Foxholm: River stage, 8.16 feet; streamflow, 298 cfs.
Little Missouri gauge, Long X: River stage, 0.71 feet; streamflow, 244 cfs.
Missouri River, Williston gauge: River stage, 22.76 feet.
Missouri River, Stanton, gauge: River stage, 19.14 feet.
Souris River, Foxholm gauge: Streamflow, 1,050 cfs.
Souris River, Minot gauge: River stage, 10.12 feet; streamflow, 1,440 cfs.
Yellowstone River, Sidney, Mont., gauge: River stage, 8.24 feet; streamflow, 18,600 cfs.
HUNTING
Early Canada goose season: Light activity in east-central North Dakota, including around Lonetree WMA. Lots of standing grain limiting access.