OUTDOOR NOTES
Dec. 30: Missouri River Canada Goose Zone closes.
Dec. 30: Light goose season closes.
Dec. 31: Elk units E2, E3, E4 and E5 close.
Jan. 1: High Plain Duck Units, coot, merganser and swan seasons close.
Jan. 8: Ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, pheasant, fall turkey seasons close.
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: A few more anglers starting to move around on area lakes with fair walleye and perch success on Devils Lake along with good northern pike action.
Bismarck, Dakota Tackle, Missouri River / area lakes: Goose Lake near Harvey producing walleye and perch in a variety of sizes. Antelope Lake fair for walleye and perch. Beaver Bay on Lake Oahe fair for good numbers of northern pike and walleye with some crappie mixed in. Try the mouth of Nelson Bay in the shallows along the shoreline in 5 to 8 feet for walleye on Lake Audubon. Missouri River still has open water with continued walleye from boat and shore.
Bottineau, Four Seasons, Lake Metigoshe: Continued walleye activity with best success in the evening. Fair northern pike and bluegill with a few perch scattered in. Try other area lakes for perch, as well.
Bottineau, Lake Meti-goshe State Park, Lake Metigoshe: Lake Metigoshe gaining ice but depths vary with no recent reports. Hiking trails open and sledding hill has some, but not much, snow. Blue Heron yurt now available for rent. Ski trails ungroomed yet.
Coleharbor, Totten Trail Restaurant, Lakes Audubon and Sakakawea: Continued fair to good for walleye and perch on Lake Audubon.
Devils Lake, Ed's Bait, Devils Lake: Lake Irvine, Mission Bay, west side of Minnewaukan Flats and north end of 6-Mile continue producing walleye on Devils Lake. Continued northern pike success on Sweetwater and Morrison lakes.
Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Good walleye success with some perch and northern pike mixed in. Try Rocky Point, Walford's Bay, north end of 6-Mile Bay and Lake Irvine. No snow on the ice with good access.
Dickinson, Andrus Outdoors, Lake Sakakawea / area lakes: Missouri River tailrace good for walleye from both boat and shore.
Foxholm, Upper Souris NWR, Lake Darling: Ice conditions remain variable with open water in a few areas and other areas with better ice depths. Some perch reports from the upper end of the lake with occasional walleye. Outflows into the Souris River will hold steady for awhile.
Garrison, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon and Sakakawea: Continued walleye and perch success on Lake Audubon on both east and west ends. Missouri River remains good for walleye from both boat and shore.
Harvey, Coal Mine Lake and area lakes: Coal Mine Lake fair for northern pike but poor water clarity for spearing. Harvey Dam fair for pike. Goose Lake good for perch and fair for pike and walleye. Hurdsfield Lake good for perch and walleye.
Pick City, Scott's Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea / Missouri River: Missouri River remains good for walleye. Try drifting or jigging with minnows or Gulp from boat. Shore-fishing remains good, as well, using crankbaits or live bait. Lake Audubon fair for walleye.
Ruthville, Ruthville Store, Lake Darling and area lakes: Lots of activity with recent warm weather but fishing success is somewhat inconsistent at Grano. Lake Audubon remains fair for walleye.
Williston, Scenic Sports, Lake Sakakawea / Missouri River / area lakes: Lake Sakakawea fair to good for walleye with more anglers on the ice. Not much activity on the Missouri River yet other than a few anglers at the confluence. No report from area perch lakes.
LAKE LEVELS
Devils Lake elevation, Dec. 21: 1,453.28 feet above mean sea level.
Stump Lake elevation, Dec. 21: 1,453.39 feet.
Lake Sakakawea elevation, Dec. 21: 1,839.4 feet; 20,000 cubic feet per second average (cfs) Garrison Dam daily releases.
HUNTING
Hunting as of Dec. 21:
West / central N.D.: Good mallard numbers remain along the Missouri River and open waters of Lake Sakakawea. Goose success remains good in the Missouri River Zone. Fair pheasant numbers in some areas, as well.
SKIING
Downhill skiing, Dec. 21:
Bottineau Winter Park, Bottineau: Some 4- to 10-inch base with groomed, manmade snow. Open now through Jan. 2, although closed Christmas Day. Several jumps and rails open in the Terrain Park with three tube runs open.
Frostfire, Walhalla: Some 20- to 25-inch base with all but two runs open. Triple chair operating. Open now through Jan. 8 although closed Christmas Day.
Huff Hills Ski Area, Mandan: 10- to 12-inch base with three runs and Bunny Run open. One lift and Bunny tow operating.