Dakota Recreation Report

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Outdoor notes

*Paddlefish season now closed with snag-and-release at the confluence only through Tuesday.

*Missouri River wing walls closed to access due to high Garrison Dam releases.

*June 4 and 5: Free fishing weekend.

*June 8: Deer gun and muzzleloader applications due.

Tournaments

*June 4: Fish Creek Dam; Missouri River tailrace; Lake Audubon.

Fishing

Lake Sakakawea elevation, Wednesday: 1,849.5 feet above mean sea level; 50,000 cubic feet per second Garrison Dam average daily releases.

*North Dakota Game and Fish Department District Game Wardens: No reports from small southwestern lakes. Missouri River running fast but some walleye success around Washburn and south around the Steckel Landing. Use extreme caution on the river with fast current and debris. Lake Audubon producing smallmouth bass with a few walleye mixed in. Lake Sakakawea remains slow. The lake also has floating debris with high water.

*Beulah, Dakota Waters Resort, Lake Sakakawea: Resort now open for the season but weather limiting fishing activity.

*Bismarck, Dakota Tackle, Missouri River/area lakes: Missouri River docks now removed in the Bismarck-Mandan area due to high water with several ramps unusable. Try small area lakes or Lake Oahe with the river running so high and fast.

*Dickinson, Andrus Outdoors, Lake Sakakawea/area lakes: Mel’s Marina on Lake Sakakawea fair for northern pike and catfish from shore. McKenzie, Mossett, and Skunk bays remain fair for pike from shore. Some sauger success in 60 to 65 feet around McKenzie and Mel’s Marina. Dickinson Dike now stocked with trout and producing fair to good success. Camels Hump Dam and Belfield Pond fair for trout. Lake Tschida remains good for walleye below the dam. Bowman-Haley Dam fair for smaller walleye.

*Dickinson, Runnings Farm & Fleet, Lake Sakakawea/area lakes: Lake Tschida continues producing good numbers of small walleye below the dam using jigs or bobbers and minnows. No reports from Lake Sakakawea.

*Garrison, Cenex Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea: Some walleye success for anglers finding slack water, which is challenging with high releases. Lake Sakakawea producing some nice-sized walleye around Parshall Bay. Lake Audubon producing smallmouth and white bass with a few walleye mixed in on the east end.

*Garrison, Indian Hills Resort, Lake Sakakawea: Little activity. Resort opens May 27.

*Glen Ullin, Fitterer’s Inc., Lake Tschida: Lake Tschida continues seeing activity but reports remain light.

*Mandan, Southside MVP, Missouri River/area lakes: Missouri River access more of a problem with high Garrison Dam releases but those going to Little Heart are still finding some walleye from shore. Some walleye success in the Bismarck-Mandan area yet.

*Mandaree, McKenzie Bay Marina, Lake Sakakawea: Facilities open Friday for the season. Limited activity.

*Pick City, Scott’s Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River: Some northern pike activity on Lake Sakakawea although limited anglers on the water. Some catfish mixed in. Look for sauger activity off the points but try 22 to 30 feet along Beaver Bay. Limited walleye reports. Missouri River also has light activity with high, fast water. Those going are finding some walleye, though, but the challenge is to work the current and find slack water.

*New Town, Van Hook Bait & Tackle, Lake Sakakawea: Docks are in place on the Van Hook Arm but wind and weather limiting walleye activity. Some northern pike success yet from shore.

*Watford City, Tobacco Garden, Lake Sakakawea: Fair to good for northern pike from shore with some catfish mixed in. No walleye reports yet.

*Watford City, One-Stop, Lake Sakakawea: Continued northern pike success from shore around Tobacco Garden. Some boat activity but no reports of success.

*White Earth, White Earth Bay Trading Post, Lake Sakakawea: Some light walleye activity in the White Earth River but Lake Sakakawea generally quiet yet. Not much for smelt activity.

*Williston, Scenic Sports, Lake Sakakawea/Missouri River: A few reports of sauger from Lake Sakakawea. Work deep. Limited walleye reports. Missouri River bottoms are flooding.

North Dakota river levels and streamflow, May 17:

*Bear Den Creek, Mandaree gauge: Creek stage, 4.16 feet; streamflow, 6.6 CFS.

*Cannonball River, Regent gauge: River stage, 292 feet; streamflow, 59 CFS.

*Green River, New Hradec gauge: River stage, 6.95 feet; streamflow, 9.9 CFS.

*Heart River, Richardton gauge: River stage, 4.37 feet; streamflow, 34 CFS.

*Knife River, Manning gauge: River stage, 7.25 feet; streamflow, 33 CFS.

*Little Missouri River, Marmath: River stage, 4.02 feet; streamflow, 1,030 CFS.

*Little Missouri River, Medora gauge: River stage, 6.07 feet; streamflow, 1,960 CFS.

*Little Missouri River, Long X gauge: River stage, 4.55 feet; streamflow, 3,590 CFS.

*Missouri River, Williston gauge: River stage, 23.38 feet.

*Missouri River, Stanton: River stage, 16.35 feet.

*Yellowstone River, Sidney, Mont. gauge: River stage, 9.3 feet; streamflow, 23,600.

Numbers to know:

*NDGF main Bismarck office: 701-328-6300; website (http://gf.nd.gov).

*NDGF Dickinson office: 701-227-7431.

*Report All Poachers: 800-472-2121.

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

Tags: outdoors, fishing, recreation