Anglers Cautioned as Reservoir Releases Planned

[Ed Carlson]

Anglers Cautioned as Reservoir Releases Planned

State, federal and local agencies will release up to five feet of water from several reservoirs in southeastern North Dakota to accommodate for anticipated high inflows in the Red and James river drainage.

Gene Van Eeckhout, southeast district fisheries supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Jamestown, said water levels are or will be drawn down at Lake Ashtabula, Lake LaMoure, Clausen Springs, Dead Colt Creek and Brewer Lake.

“Dissolved oxygen levels are adequate in all these reservoirs, so there should not be any concerns about fish winterkill,” Van Eeckhout said. “With the projected runoff, these water bodies should all be full after the spring runoff.”

Anglers fishing these reservoirs should be aware of weakened ice conditions due to the projected draw down.

[Ed Carlson]

The Red River is rapidly rising in the Headwaters and Central region, as also are the associated tributaries of the Red River.

The ice on these rivers is no longer safe to access to fish. I would not recommend anyone attempt to access the ice on these regional rivers for there own safety, as well as for the safety of others who would need to rescue them if they find themselves in distress.