Dakota Recreation Report

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Fishing

- Ice is never completely safe. Use caution, especially in areas with vegetation and around bridges and check conditions locally before venturing out.

- Lake Sakakawea elevation, 1,837.7 feet above mean sea level; 16,000 cubic feet per second Garrison Dam average daily releases.

- North Dakota Game and Fish Department District Game Wardens: Fishing generally slow in the southwest although North Lemmon Lake continues producing perch. Some activity on the dam below Lake Tschida with access available onto the lake. The lake is producing a few small walleye. Indian Creek Dam remains good for walleye and perch with nice-sized walleye, as well. Missouri River tailrace remains good for walleye. Try pulling crankbaits in the chutes. Wing walls OK but less consistent. Reminder, it’s illegal to pursue wildlife, including coyotes, with snowmobiles.

- Bismarck, Dakota Tackle, Missouri River/area lakes: Slight improvement in success with occasional bluegill and perch with lots of activity on Sweetbriar Dam. Missouri River tailrace remains fair to good. Take snowmobiles to access Beaver and Cattail bays on Lake Oahe.

- Coleharbor, Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Audubon: Poor access on the auto tour route with limited activity on the refuge portion of Lake Audubon.

- Dickinson, Andrus Outdoors, Lake Sakakawea/area lakes: Indian Creek remains good for walleye. Try west of Skunk Bay on Lake Sakakawea in 12 to 40 feet for walleye and sauger. McKenzie Bay fair for sauger and walleye. Camels Hump Dam continues producing trout.

- Dickinson, Runnings Farm & Fleet, Lake Sakakawea and area lakes: Tobacco Garden on Lake Sakakawea remains fair for walleye and sauger working deep around the beacon. Skunk Bay slow. Indian Creek fair for perch and walleye.

- Glen Ullin, Fitterer’s Inc., Lake Tschida: Activity on the lake remains quiet. Some spearing activity on Lake Sakakawea but no reports on success.

- Mandan, Southside MVP, Missouri River/area Lakes: Improved weather brought more anglers on area lakes but limited reports on success.

- New Town, Scenic 23, Lake Sakakawea: More anglers on the ice with improving weather but success remains slow with an occasional perch and walleye taken.

- Pick City, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River: Snow conditions continue limiting access onto Lake Sakakawea with little recent activity. Missouri River tailrace remains good from boats anchoring with jigs and minnows or Gulp. Shore success remains slow.

- Watford City, One-Stop, Lake Sakakawea: More anglers on Lake Sakakawea with fair success around Skunk Bay and Tobacco Garden.

- Williston, Scenic Sports, Lake Sakakawea: Limited reports from Lake Sakakawea.

Snowmobiling

- Cattail (Steele, Cass and Traill counties): 15-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed and in good condition.

- East Central Valley (Fargo, Casselton): 12-inch snow depth. Trails open and in good condition.

- Lake Region (Devils Lake area): 16-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed and in good condition. Beware of thin ice on all water bodies.

- May-Port (Mayville-Portland areas): 12-inch snow depth. Trails open and in good condition.

- Missouri Valley (Bismarck, Linton): 12-inch snow depth. Trails open and in good condition. Southern trails and trails around Sterling, Moffit, Missouri River and Hague groomed.

- North Central (Rugby, Leeds): 14-inch snow depth. All western trails open and in good condition. All remaining trails closed. Red Lake, Sand Slough, Jordan Lake, Midway Lake, and Gun Lake trails are groomed. Beware of thin ice on all water bodies.

- Northeast (Cavalier, Langdon, Edinburg): 14-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed and in good condition.

- Peace Garden (Bottineau, Rolla): 16-inch snow depth. Trail system is open and groomed. Beware of thin ice on all water bodies.

- Red River North (Grafton): 12-inch snow depth. Trails are open and in good condition. Trails will be groomed as soon as equipment repairs are finished.

- Red River South (Grand Forks, Fordville, Manvel): 13-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed and in good condition.

- Sargent County (Sargent and Richland counties): 18-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed and in good condition.

- Sheyenne Valley (Jamestown, Valley City, Lisbon, Oakes): 16-inch snow depth. Trails open and in good condition.

- Sno-Trails (Minot): 18-inch snow depth. Trails open and in good condition.

- Southern Valley (Wahpeton, Mooreton areas): 13-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed and in good condition.

Downhill skiing

- Big Sky, Big Sky, Mont.: 45- to 68-inch base with an inch of snow on packed powder and machine groomed snow. All runs and Terrain Park open with all lifts operating.

- Huff Hills, Mandan: 21- to 36-inch base with all runs open and lifts operating. Open Thursday through Sunday.

- Red Lodge, Red Lodge, Mont.: 48- to 50-inch base with powder and packed powder snow. All runs and Terrain Park open with all lifts operating.

- Terry Peak, Lead, S.D.: 18- to 32-inch base with machine groomed snow conditions. Twenty seven runs open with all lifts operating.

Numbers to know

- NDGF main Bismarck office: 701-328-6300; Web site, http://gf.nd.gov.

- NDGF Dickinson office: 701-227-7431.

- Report poachers: 800-472-2121.

- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck, Web site, www.fws.gov/northdakotafieldoffice.

Tags: lake sakakawea, new town, missouri river, dakota report, outdoors