Dakota Recreation Report

- Saturday: Paddlefish season opens. Check North Dakota Game and Fish regulations for open areas.

- May 8: International Migratory Bird Day.

- May 9: Light goose season closes.

Tournaments

- May 7: Missouri River, Rifle Range.

- May 8: Lake Oahe, Hazelton.

Fishing

- Lake Sakakawea elevation, Wednesday: 1,838.9 feet above mean sea level; 10,000 cubic feet per second Garrison Dam average daily releases.

- N.D. Game and Fish Department District Game Wardens: More anglers going to local south-central lakes but limited reports of success so far. Lake Audubon fair for northern pike and smallmouth bass. Limited walleye success. Best success on the Missouri River is down river from the tailrace. Reminder to properly dispose of all non-game species, including carp and don’t litter them on the shoreline.

- Bismarck, Dakota Tackle, Missouri River/area lakes: Most activity on Missouri River is south of Bismarck-Mandan using jigs or crankbaits. Water was clearing. Some activity at Sweetbriar and McDowell dams but no reports on success.

- Dickinson, Andrus Outdoors, Lake Sakakawea/area Llakes: Lake Sakakawea is still somewhat slow, although a few anglers trying Mel’s Marina. Lake Tschida producing walleye below the dam.

- Dickinson, Runnings Farm & Fleet, Lake Sakakawea/area lakes: Nelson Lake continues producing bass. Bowman-Haley Dam fair for walleye from boat or along the spillway. Not much success on Lake Tschida, although there’s carp success. Missouri River south of Bismarck good for walleye using jigs. Lake Sakakawea slow.

- Glen Ullin, Fitterer’s Inc., Lake Tschida: Increasing activity with fair walleye success on the lake as well as below the dam of Lake Tschida.

- Mandan, Southside MVP, Missouri River/area lakes: Not many anglers on the river, although weather permitting, walleye success is improving.

- New Town, Van Hook Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea: A few anglers going out in the Van Hook Arm but success limited so far with the spawn likely underway. Bait shop now open.

- Pick City, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River: Lake Sakakawea producing occasional northern pike with good numbers of anglers now shore-fishing. Try smelt or herring or with warmer water temperatures, try spoons or crankbaits. Missouri River tailrace remains slow for walleye although a few catfish moving in. Try three-way swivels. Some northern pike activity from shore and the wing walls but overall somewhat slow. Better walleye is down river below the Knife River.

- Watford City, One-Stop, Lake Sakakawea: Continued northern pike activity around Tobacco Garden on Lake Sakakawea. Some smelting around the New Town area.

- Williston, Scenic Sports, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River: Continued activity on the Missouri River. Smelt run over on the far upper end of Lake Sakakawea, although some northern pike moving in.

ND River Report, April 27

- Bear Den Creek, Mandaree: Streamflow, 0.30 cfs; river stage, 4.91 feet.

- Cannonball River, Regent: River stage, 2.75 feet.

- Green River, New Hradec: Streamflow, 0.63 cfs; river stage, 6.25 feet.

- Heart River, Richardton: Streamflow, 83 cfs; river stage, 5.58 feet.

- Knife River, Manning: Streamflow, 2.3 cfs; river stage, 6.52 feet.

- Little Missouri, Marmath: Streamflow, 369 cfs; river stage, 2.71 feet.

- Little Missouri, Medora: streamflow, 356 cfs; river stage, 3.22 feet.

- Little Missouri, Long X: streamflow, 15 cfs; river stage, 1.15 feet.

- Missouri River, Stanton: River stage, 8.64 feet.

- Missouri River, Williston: River stage, 16.19 feet.

- Yellowstone River, Sidney, Mont.: Streamflow, 9,130 cfs; river stage, 5.57 feet.

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: dakota report, outdoors