Dakota recreation report for February 19, 2010

Jamestown Sun

Dakota Recreation Report

Feb. 19, 2010

Patricia Stockdill

Hunting:

Saturday: Opening spring light goose season.

Tournaments:

Saturday: Devils Lake; Jamestown Reservoir; Mundt Lake; Bader Lake.

Sunday: Silver Lake.

Feb. 27: Coldwater Lake.

Fishing:

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

Devils Lake elevation, Feb. 17: 1,450.1 feet above mean sea level (msl).

Stump Lake elevation, Feb. 17: Unavailable.

Lake Sakakawea elevation, Feb. 17: 1,837.94 msl; 16,000 cubic feet per second average Garrison Dam daily releases.

Devils Lake, Ed’s Bait & Tackle, Devils Lake: Access limited to snowmobiles or walking after last weekend’s storm. Those going are still finding walleye with perch activity on Black Tiger or East bays.

Devils Lake, West Bay Resort, Minnewaukan: Last week’s storm limiting access and activity.

Devils Lake, Woodland Resort, Creel Bay: Snow conditions are difficult in many places on Devils Lake with any off-trail travel limited to snowmobiles or tracked vehicles. Some trails are open but check locally. Overall fishing conditions are tough since last week’s snow.

Goose Lake, Harvey: Little activity with snowmobile access only. Water also coming up when anglers drill holes because of the weight of the snow.

Harvey Dam, Harvey: Access restricted to snowmobiles only.

Jamestown Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Some trails will be plowed on the reservoir for the Saturday tournament but no fishing reports after last week’s storm.

Jamestown Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Access opened on lake at Pelican Point for the weekend tournament but snow limiting activity.

Lake Ashtabula, Bayshore, Valley City: Little activity with poor access and lots of snow on the lake itself. Reservoir is dropping in elevation.

Pipestem Reservoir, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Limited access and activity.

Pipestem Reservoir, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: Not much activity.

Spiritwood Lake, Dan’s Sooper Stop, Jamestown: Not many reports due to poor access.

Spiritwood Lake, Pioneer Bait Shop, Jamestown: No recent reports.

Snowmobile ND report, Feb. 17:

Cattail (Steele, Cass, & Traill counties): 14-snow depth. Trails open, groomed, and in good condition.

East Central Valley (Fargo, Casselton): 11-inch snow depth. Trails open and in good condition. Portions groomed the week of Feb. 8.

Lake Region (Devils Lake area): 12-inch snow depth. Trail open, groomed, and in good condition. Beware of thin ice on all water bodies.

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

Missouri Valley (Bismarck, Linton): 11-snow depth. Trails open with northern trails groomed and in good condition.

North Central (Rugby, Leeds): 10-inch snow depth. All trails in the western part of the system are open, groomed, and in good condition. Beware of thin ice. Remaining portion of the trail system closed.

Peace Garden (Bottineau, Rolla): 10-inch snow depth. Trails open and groomed. Beware of thin ice.

Red River North (Grafton): 8-snow depth. Trails open, groomed, and in good condition.

Sargent County (Sargent & Richland counties): 14-snow depth. Trails open, groomed, and in good condition.

Sheyenne Valley (Jamestown, Valley City, Lisbon, Oakes): 12-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed, and in good condition.

Southern Valley (Wahpeton, Mooreton areas): 9-inch snow depth. Trails open, groomed, and in good condition.

N.D. Parks & Recreation Dept. cross-country ski report, Feb. 17:

Fort Ransom, Fort Ransom: About 8 inches new snow last week. Trails packed, groomed, and in good condition.

Grahams Island, Devils Lake: About 5 inches new snow with approximately 21-inch base on the trails, which are groomed and in good condition. Trail maps located at the entrance station. Annual or daily park passes necessary to go to the park.

Icelandic, Cavalier: Trails groomed and in good condition with light dusting of new snow.

Downhill ski report, Feb. 17:

Bears Den Mountain, Fort Ransom: Ski area open with good snow conditions.

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

Numbers to know:

N.D. Game & Fish Department, main Bismarck office: 328-6300; Web site: (http://gf.nd.gov).

N.D. Game & Fish Department, Jamestown office: 253-6480.

Report All Poachers: (800) 472-2121.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bismarck, Web site: (www.fws.gov/northdakotafieldoffice).