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Dakota Recreation Report

Outdoor notes

Remember to have adequate lifejackets and proper safety equipment for the number of people on a boat.

Boat registrations are now due.

Turkey hunters must have new small game, hunting certificate, and general game and habitat stamp.

Please report any winter fish kill sightings to the Game and Fish Dept.

Saturday: Dunn County Ducks Unlimited (DU) banquet, Killdeer, Buckskin Bar & Grill, 5 p.m.

Saturday: Muddy Buck Mule Deer Foundation banquet, Williston, Grand Williston Hotel, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Paddlefish snagging season opens.

May 3: Sakakawea Chapter of DU banquet, Washburn Memorial Hall, 6 p.m.

Tournaments

May 10: Lake Darling.

Fishing

Devils Lake elevation, April 23: 1,452.62 feet above mean sea level.

Stump Lake elevation: 1,452.71 feet.

Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,836.92 feet; 24,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Shorelines are opening up on Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon.

Bismarck, Dakota Tackle, Missouri River/area lakes: Try Moffit Creek for carp bowfishing. Some pike success with smelt or herring with a bobber or casting lures. Missouri River clearing up with more activity and somewhat improving walleye success.

Bottineau, Four Seasons, Lake Metigoshe: Little activity due to deteriorating ice conditions.

Bottineau, Lake Metigoshe State Park, Lake Metigoshe: No activity on Lake Metigoshe with ice rapidly deteriorating. Park hiking trails are now open.

Coleharbor, Totten Trail, Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea: Limited reports with ice breaking up on Lake Audubon and Lake Sakakawea. Improving walleye success downstream of the Missouri River tailrace. The river is clearing around Bismarck-Mandan so look for improving walleye activity.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait, Devils Lake: Sheyenne River producing walleye. A few pike from shore around many of the Devils Lake inlets. Small boats can be launched from the rocks by hand but no docks are in and ramps aren’t usable yet with the lake largely iced over.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Bridges and coulees have open water with fair to good pike success. Lake is still iced over but there is open water along the shoreline and bridges.

Dickinson, Andrus Outdoors, Lake Sakakawea/area lakes: Lake Sakakawea good for pike from shore throughout much of the midsection. Try smelt.

Garrison, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon and Sakakawea: Ice is breaking up on Lake Sakakawea with some shore-fishing opportunities now available.

Garrison, 6-Mile Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea: Try the east side of Lake Audubon for walleye from shore. Douglas and Steinke bays producing pike from shore on Lake Sakakawea. Try smelt and predator rigs.

Harvey, Coal Mine Lake & area lakes: Improving pike success along areas of the Sheyenne River with good shoreline access, as well as small area pike lakes.

Mandan, Southside MVP, Missouri River/area lakes: Missouri River improving for small walleye north and south of Bismarck-Mandan.

New Town, Scenic 23, Lake Sakakawea: Some pike success from shore in the Van Hook Arm.

Pick City, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River: Some pike success on Lake Sakakawea in areas where ice pulled away from the shoreline. Try smelt, spoons, herring, or crankbaits. Ice is moving so open areas could change day-to-day. Fish are in various spawning stages. Missouri River remains somewhat slow from both boat and shore for catfish, trout, and walleye. Try evening hours from shore for walleye, though.

Ruthville, Ruthville Store, Lake Darling & area lakes: Weather permitting, more anglers are out with improving success at Grano. Try Baker’s Bridge but Lake Darling Dam releases may create fast water.

Williston, Scenic Sports, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River/area lakes: Missouri and Yellowstone rivers producing a mix of walleye and sauger. Little Muddy River still has pike activity. Small lake access remains limited to shore-fishing only with some ice still floating on the lakes. Lake Sakakawea starting to open but limited activity yet.

Spring migration

Good numbers of light geese remain in the Devils Lake area with some migrants still moving through in north-central N.D.

Spring turkey hunting

Decent success around the Williston area. North-central area hunters finding limited success so far.

Numbers to know

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

Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck, website: (www.fws.gov/

northdakotafieldoffice).

Dakota Recreation Report

Outdoor notes

Saturday: Garrison Ducks Unlimited Hunter’s Party, Garrison City Auditorium, 5:30 p.m.

April 26: Muddy Buck Mule Deer Foundation banquet, Grand Williston Hotel, Williston, 5:30 p.m.

May 1: Paddlefish snagging season opens.

Fishing

Devils Lake elevation, April 16: 1,452.57 feet above mean sea level.

Stump Lake elevation: 1,452.67 feet.

Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,836.84 feet; 24,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Open water along many areas of Lake Sakakawea’s shoreline. Look for pike activity. Ice receding from Devils Lake with open water out about 20 feet. OK success around the bridges. Questionable at best ice conditions with small area lakes transitioning into open water.

Bottineau, Four Seasons, Lake Metigoshe: Anglers still walking onto Lake Metigoshe are finding some bluegill and walleye success. Look for open water along shorelines, however.

Bottineau, Lake Metigoshe State Park, Lake Metigoshe: Lake Metigoshe slowed.

Coleharbor, Totten Trail, Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea: Lake Audubon and Lake Sakakawea have poor conditions with open water along the shorelines along Lake Sakakawea bays. Anyone venturing out needs to be prepared and carry safety equipment in the event they break through. Missouri River has muddy conditions down river with higher releases and tributary inflows. Look for improving success once water clears.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait, Devils Lake: A few anglers starting to fish the open water along the bridges of Devils Lake.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Poor ice conditions on Devils Lake, even with the cooler temperatures of the week, so access isn’t recommended.

Dickinson, Andrus Outdoors, Lake Sakakawea/area lakes: Lots of shore-fishing pike activity along the open water shorelines of Lake Sakakawea. Try smelt. Find an open water shoreline bay and you’ll likely find pike.

Garrison, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon and Sakakawea: Some pike success from the open water shorelines along the east end of Lake Sakakawea.

Garrison, 6-Mile Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea: Lake Sakakawea producing pike from shore. Missouri River producing a few more walleye down river within the first couple of miles below the tailrace. Ice conditions are deteriorating on Lake Audubon although there is still some walleye success.

Harvey, Coal Mine Lake & area lakes: Look for improving Sheyenne River activity as water temperatures warm up and access dries out.

Mandan, Southside MVP, Missouri River/area lakes: Missouri River remains muddy in the Bismarck-Mandan area with local runoff. Tailrace still somewhat slow.

New Town, Scenic 23, Lake Sakakawea: Limited activity, although the shorelines are opening up.

Pick City, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River: Lake Sakakawea producing good numbers of pike in areas where there’s open water. Try herring or smelt. Missouri River is still somewhat slow but boat and shore anglers are finding an occasional catfish, walleye, and pike.

Ruthville, Ruthville Store, Lake Darling & area lakes: Some limited activity at the bridges at Grano but otherwise anglers are generally just waiting for spring.

Williston, Scenic Sports, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River/area lakes: Continued walleye and pike success from the Little Muddy River. Lake Sakakawea is opening up as far east as Lund’s Landing so look for boat activity soon. Small area lakes remain partially ice-covered with some shore-fishing along the open water edges.

Spring migration

North Dakota: Not many reports from areas around the Missouri River. Light geese still in portion of east-central N.D. early in the week with the biggest concentrations from Glenfield over to Harvey. Spotty numbers in many areas of North Dakota with some reports coming early in the week from southwestern Cass County, Barnes, Sargent, and LaMoure counties. Light geese moved into the Devils Lake area over the past week. Most birds are north of Interstate-94. Look for a few stragglers, as well, in some areas.

Turkey hunting

No report from north-central area hunters. Some success in McKenzie County and along the Yellowstone and Missouri river bottoms.

Numbers to know

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

Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck, website: (www.fws.gov/

northdakotafieldoffice).

Dakota Recreation Report

Outdoor notes

New fishing and furbearer licenses now due.

New boat registrations due.

Today-Saturday: N.D. Nat’l Archery in the Schools state meet, Bismarck VFW Sports Arena.

Today: Badlands Toms Nat’l Wild Turkey Federation banquet, Outlaws, Watford City.

Saturday: Audubon Nat’l Wildlife Refuge Nature Fest workshop with a variety of nature-based classes. Call the refuge, (701) 442-5474, to pre-register and for more information.

Saturday: Spring turkey season opens.

Saturday: High Plains Waterfowlers Delta Waterfowl banquet, Grand Williston Hotel, Williston, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: N.D. Game & Fish Dept. spring advisory meeting, Williston MDU meeting room, 7 p.m.

Monday: N.D. Game & Fish Dept. spring advisory meeting, Turtle Lake Wildlife Club, 7 p.m.

April 19: Sakakawea DU Hunter’s Party, Garrison Auditorium, 5:30 p.m.

Fishing

Devils Lake elevation, April 9: 1,452.46 feet above mean sea level.

Stump Lake elevation: 1,452.6 feet.

Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,836.51 feet; 20,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Lake Sakakawea fair for pike but watch deteriorating ice conditions. Lake Audubon fair but inconsistent for walleye. An occasional walleye from the chutes below Garrison Dam with a trout and salmon or two mixed in. Look for edges to start deteriorating soon on Lake Metigoshe but anglers are still finding some bluegill success.

Bismarck, Dakota Tackle, Missouri River/area lakes: Some walleye success from boat and shore at Eckroth Bottoms on the Missouri River.

Bottineau, Four Seasons, Lake Metigoshe: Continued bluegill success with increasing walleye numbers. Watch deteriorating ice conditions along the shorelines.

Bottineau, Lake Metigoshe State Park, Lake Metigoshe: Look for ice conditions to start deteriorating soon on Lake Metigoshe but anglers are still finding bluegill in the evening with some pike success in shallower water.

Coleharbor, Totten Trail, Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea: Lake Audubon and Lake Sakakawea slow with rapidly deteriorating ice and sloppy conditions along the edges. Those venturing out area still finding a few fish but conditions will soon limit any ice access. Missouri River tailrace slow but anglers are finding nice walleye around Bismarck-Mandan.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait, Devils Lake: Walking access only on Devils Lake but look for activity around the bridges, Pelican Lake, and east Devils Lake.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Limited activity as ice conditions start to deteriorate. Look for pike success around open water shorelines soon. Bridges have open water so try casting for walleye from shore.

Dickinson, Andrus Outdoors, Lake Sakakawea/area lakes: Ice conditions are deteriorating so activity on Lake Sakakawea and area lakes is limited to waiting for water open along the shorelines. Try below the dam at Lake Tschida for walleye activity.

Garrison, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon and Sakakawea: Ice conditions deteriorating on Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon. Look for open water along shorelines.

Garrison, 6-Mile Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea: Watch conditions before walking onto ice but those still going to Lake Audubon are finding walleye on the east end. Missouri River was producing a few fish but turned quiet recently. Lake Sakakawea starting to open along the shorelines with rising lake elevations.

Harvey, Coal Mine Lake & area lakes: Look for pike activity along open waters of the Sheyenne River where access is available. Ice deteriorating on area lakes so anglers are waiting for open water.

Mandan, Southside MVP, Missouri River/area lakes: Continued walleye activity from boats on the Missouri River, including Hazelton Bottoms. Try Eckroth Bottoms from shore

New Town, Scenic 23, Lake Sakakawea: Ice conditions are deteriorating along the shoreline so access is no longer available onto the ice. Look for some pike activity at Parshall Bay, although earlier success was through the ice and not open water.

Pick City, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River: Some anglers still venturing onto Lake Audubon for an afternoon and evening walleye bite with some pike mixed in. Limited perch reports. Ice conditions will start to deteriorate soon. Missouri River remains slow from both boat and shore, although a few fish are being caught. Look for open water edges on Lake Sakakawea for pike soon.

Ruthville, Ruthville Store, Lake Darling & area lakes: Look for perch success at Grano along with activity below Lake Darling Dam and at Baker’s Bridge.

Williston, Scenic Sports, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River/area lakes: Ice conditions are deteriorating along the shoreline so access is no longer available onto the ice. Look for some pike activity at Parshall Bay, although earlier success was through the ice and not open water.

Spring migration

North Dakota: Snow goose numbers were strongest from Sargent County and Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge and points west and north. Bird numbers in South Dakota the early part of the week indicate migration is fast but not over with, either. Without sheet water in Richland, Cass, and Trail County the snow goose migration through extreme eastern counties is virtually non-existent except for a rare stray flock. However, there is usually potential for late season trailing migrants to show up just about anywhere, so don’t be discouraged. If hunting eastern N.D. be prepared for few birds or consider looking towards the James Valley corridor and north and south. Birds also moving into northeast and north-central N.D.

Numbers to know

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

Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck, website: (www.fws.gov/

northdakotafieldoffice).

Dakota Recreation Report

Outdoor notes

New fishing and furbearer licenses now due.

New boat registrations due.

Saturday: Missouri River Longbeards Nat’l Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) banquet, Washburn Memorial Hall.

Tuesday: Mouse River Ducks Unlimited (DU) banquet, Gallows Hall, Towner, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: N.D. Game & Fish Dept. spring advisory board meeting, Lake Region Community College, Devils Lake, 7 p.m.

April 11-12: Nat’l Archery in the Schools state meet, Bismarck VFW Sports Arena.

April 11: Badlands Toms NWTF, Watford City, Outlaws Steakhouse.

April 12: Spring turkey season opens.

April 12: High Plains Waterfowlers Delta Waterfowl banquet, Grand Williston Hotel, Williston, 5:30 p.m.

April 14: N.D. Game & Fish Dept. (rescheduled) spring advisory board meeting, Turtle Lake Wildlife Club, 7 p.m.

April 14: N.D. Game & Fish Dept. (rescheduled) spring advisory board meeting, Williston MDU meeting room, 7 p.m.

April 19: Garrison DU Hunter’s Party, Garrison City Auditorium, 5:30 p.m.

Fishing

Devils Lake elevation, April 2: 1,452.38 feet above mean sea level.

Stump Lake elevation: 1,452.54 feet.

Lake Sakakawea elevation: 1,835.89 feet; 16,000 cubic feet per second average (CFS) Garrison Dam daily releases.

N.D. Game & Fish Dept. Dist. game wardens: Cottonwood Lake, Camp Lake (south of Towner), and Buffalo Lodge lake slow, although few anglers are venturing out on area lakes in general. Lake Audubon remains good for walleye. Lake Sakakawea producing pike but use caution with rising lake elevations and freezing and thawing ice conditions. Makoti Lake good for pike. Mixed results from northeastern lakes with Stump Lake and Devils Lake producing the most consistent perch and walleye success.

Bismarck, Dakota Tackle, Missouri River/area lakes: Some activity on the open water stretches of the Missouri River around Bismarck-Mandan and Washburn.

Bottineau, Four Seasons, Lake Metigoshe: Continued fair to good bluegill success with some walleye and pike mixed in.

Bottineau, Lake Metigoshe State Park, Lake Metigoshe: Lake Metigoshe has continued good bluegill success throughout many areas of the lake. Look for a pike bite on other area lakes. Devils Lake good for perch.

Coleharbor, Totten Trail, Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea: Continued spotty pike and walleye success on Lake Audubon. Look for renewed bite with stable weather.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait, Devils Lake: Inconsistent weather patterns are creating inconsistent walleye and perch success. Ice remains OK but watch edges with thawing and freezing conditions.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Devils Lake: Continued good perch and walleye success but more snow drifted onto the ice. Pelican Lake remains the most active area, as well as other areas throughout Devils Lake. Look for good success depending on ice conditions. Ice depth is still OK.

Dickinson, Andrus Outdoors, Lake Sakakawea/area lakes: Limited reports with little activity on Lake Sakakawea.

Foxholm, Upper Souris NWR, Lake Darling: No vehicle access onto Lake Darling but a few anglers are walking on and finding an occasional small walleye.

Garrison, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon and Sakakawea: Lake Sakakawea is starting to honeycomb throughout its ice depth. Lake Audubon remains fair to good for walleye, although use caution with freezing and thawing conditions.

Garrison, 6-Mile Bait & Tackle, Lakes Audubon & Sakakawea: Continued walleye activity on Lake Audubon. Try the east end in 20 feet. Lake Sakakawea producing pike from shore.

Harvey, Coal Mine Lake & area lakes: Look for ice conditions to deteriorate soon, although Goose Lake remains good for pike and pike and fair for walleye. Antelope and Hurdsfield lakes fair to good for perch and walleye.

Mandan, Southside MVP, Missouri River/area lakes: Fair to good walleye activity from the Bismarck-Mandan bridges south to Hazelton.

New Town, Scenic 23, Lake Sakakawea: Parshall Bay good for pike. Edges are marginal in many areas along Lake Sakakawea but the ice itself is still OK. Conditions could vary and change quickly, though.

Pick City, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River: Lake Audubon continues producing an evening walleye bite. Try jigs and minnows. Lake Sakakawea access isn’t good. Missouri River producing a smattering of some species, including walleye, trout, pike, and catfish using a variety of presentations. No consistent numbers of fish, however, and it’s a matter of being in the right location when the bite is on.

Ruthville, Ruthville Store, Lake Darling & area lakes: Continued perch success on Lake Darling.

Williston, Scenic Sports, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River/area lakes: A few areas on the Little Muddy River have open water and anglers are finding some pike success. Limited activity on the Missouri River and Lake Sakakawea. Small area lakes have questionable ice. Look for good beaver hunting opportunities along the Missouri River.

Spring migration

North Dakota: Snow geese moving into north-central portions of N.D. last weekend. Birds also moved into central N.D. but weather could push them back – or hold them, so it’s hard to plan a hunt.

Upper Souris NWR: A big push in light geese earlier in the week with little hunting pressure. Birds are feeding and then pushing on north. The refuge is closed to spring turkey hunting. Grouse blinds are available and look for bird activity with warmer weather.

Numbers to know

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

Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck, website: (www.fws.gov/

northdakotafieldoffice).

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