Lake Sakakawea Articles of Interest

Worries Remain Over Lake Sakakawea Fishing
The Grand Forks Herald

MINOT -- State wildlife officials say they expect another excellent year of walleye fishing on Lake Sakakawea, but at least another 10 feet of water is needed in the lake to see a successful northern pike spawn.

Fisheries chief Greg Power said pike need vegetation on their spawning grounds, and the receding lake has led to very poor pike reproduction several years in a row.

Sakakawea has been at record low levels in recent years because of drought in the Missouri River basin.

Fisheries biologist Dave Fryda said this year's walleye catch should be similar to last year's, which was the second-best on record.

"There are some problems, though," Fryda said. "Pike, walleye and sauger are headed downward, both in recruitment and growth."

Lake Levels Highlight Minot Meeting
The Minot Daily News

Issues from the number of deer tags to be issued next fall to dropping water levels on Lake Sakakawea to the future of mountain lions in North Dakota were among the topics discussed at a North Dakota Game and Fish Department advisory board meeting held in Minot Thursday night.

Fishing access on Lake Sakakawea should be very similar to last year, despite continued low water levels. That was one of the messages conveyed by Greg Power, fisheries chief, to interested sportsmen in attendance. Power also expressed his continued concerns over the fate of Lake Sakakawea as a fishery, saying that at least another 10 feet of water is needed in Sakakawea to see a successful northern pike spawn.

Pike need vegetation on their spawning grounds and the receeding lake has led to very poor pike reproduction for several years in a row.

Looking ahead, Power said fishermen should be aware that a few major changes in regulations may be coming, beginning with the 2008 fishing season.

"We’re very concerned with aquatic nuiscance species," explained Power. "We’ll propose that, starting next year, you’ll have to clean your boat, trailer and props of all weeds before leaving any lake in North Dakota. You’ll also have to probably drain your live wells and bilges. You’ll be taking your fish home on ice instead of in your live wells."

Dave Fryda, fisheries biologist stationed at Riverdale, spoke about the summer fishing outlook for Lake Sakakawea. Fryda said he expects another excellent year of walleye fishing, very similar to the catch recorded during 2006 which was the second-best on record.

"There are some problems, though," added Fryda. "Pike, walleye and sauger are headed downward, both in recruitment and growth."

Greg Link, assistant wildlife division chief, said that crews are already flying deer surveys throughout the state. He anticipates that the number of deer licenses issued next fall will be very similar to 2006 when more than 140,000 licenses were available. Link then addressed the sportsmen on the status of mountain lions, or what is known of them, in the state.

"It was a surprise to us that four lions were taken last season outside of the Badlands habitat," admitted Link. "We still think it’s an oddity, but who knows. We’ll find out. In our estimation, those cats are not setting up a residence in those areas."

Link was referring to mountain lions harvested near Lansford, Washburn and New Salem – areas well outside North Dakota’s identified primary lion habitat.

"We still don’t know how many numbers are out there," said Link. "The first year we had the season we thought we’d get one or two and, boom, five. What those who know tell us is that if you think you’ve got 10 then there’s probably 30. We don’t want to be too conservative."

A total of 10 lions were actually identified during 2006, the second year the state opened up a mountain lion season. One lion was taken by a landowner as a precaution during the summer of 2006. Five lions were harvested early in the season by hunters. One was trapped and fitted with a radio collar. Three others caught by trappers were killed.

The proposal being considered for the 2007 North Dakota mountain lion season would divide the state into two lion hunting zones. Zone 1 would be the prime Badlands habitat in the southwest area of the state and bordered roughly on the northern edge by Lake Sakakawea. Zone 2 would be the remainder of the state.

The proposal calls for a harvest of five lions within Zone 1 during the designated season from Aug. 31, 2007 through March 9, 2008. Lions not taken by hunters would not count toward the season quota. Zone 2 would have no quota.

"They are called the charismatic carnivore and they are, but they cause a lot of consternation," said Terry Steinwand, department director. "We’ll meet landowner concerns, but annihilation is certainly not our goal.

'Friends' comprise 'wish list'

Marina Sought Near New Town
McLean County Independent, Garrison

What would you like to see included in the future development plan of Lake Sakakawea?

That was the question posed to those in attendance at this past week's meeting of the Friends of Lake Sakakawea in Garrison.

The U. S. Army Corps is in the midst of a master plan rewrite for Lake Sakakawea. The master plan is being rewritten to develop a roadmap that will be used by officials to manage land use around Lake Sakakawea in the future.

One of the foremost "wishes" is a marina near the west end of the lake -- more specifically, a super marina near New Town – patterned after a marina that is in the final stages of development at Fort Stevenson near Garrison.

Gerald Aftem, who formed a corporation in 1998 to develop land around New Town, and Mike Gunsch with Houston Engineering of Bismarck, developers of the plan, explained the marina would be northwest of New Town.

"Like Garrison we are going without … and it's time to move forward and develop a plan," Gunsch said.

The area that is planned for development is near Sanish Bay, also called Moe's Point or near Arrowhead Beach, about 2.5 miles north of New Town.

Gunsch said he and Aftem have been in contact with Doug Prchal, North Dakota Parks and Rec director, and Linda Phelps, natural resources specialist with the Corps of Engineers, to gather information regarding development of a marina. Gunsch added that TAT Chairman Marcus Wells is in support of development of the marina.

Letters of support have been received from the City of New Town, park board and Three Affiliated Tribes.

The next step is to meet with the states congressional delegation and Corps.

"So that within two years, this is ready to go," Gunsch said. "It's time to start now."

The key is cooperation. Gunsch added there is a lot of work to be done before the proposal can move forward.

The facility would feature 126 slips at 1790 mean sea level. Also on the drawing board is a playground, athletic fields, trailer parking, modern and primitive camping sites, trails, parking and a concession building. Total cost projections at this point are $20 million, funded through grants, federal dollars and private investors. The marina is built on Corps’ land leased to the New Town park board and then subleased to Aftem. He has more than 70 lots sold and 43 homes built; the largest home is $500,000 .

Gunsch admitted there are archeological issues -- some of which have already been addressed. An added feature to the marina, Gunsch said, would be an area to establish an interpretive site to tell the story of the history of the area.

"If you want to call this the first super marina on Lake Sakakawea … I think this is it," he said.

Although the development is an independent proposal, unlike the Garrison Bay project, Gunsch noted Prchal has offered Parks and Rec support, quoting him as saying, "We will assist you in any way we can."

At the conclusion of the presentation, energy was high. Terry Fleck, Friends of Lake Sakakawea chairman, directed his comments to the group, saying, "Now try to imagine one at McKenzie Bay, one at Beulah Bay …”

He said, "This is the type of thing we like to see happen," Fleck told the group. "It needs to be fostered and promoted.” Fleck said the condition of the present lake has made the public realize that there is a great deal of potential for the future of the lake’s shoreline.

Friends Ask For Development Ideas
Friends of Lake Sakakawea Chairman Terry Fleck said the potential for growth around the lake is endless. He asked that anyone with ideas of shoreline development, should contact the Friends of Lake Sakakawea board at one of the following telephone numbers below or e-mail friends@lakesakakawea.com.

Fleck said it is important to identify areas for recreational development while the master plan is being formed. It will provide a blueprint for future investors and help investors avoid placing a development in an area that is doomed for failure.

Lee Klapprodt, another rmember, said, "It gives us a lever to get federal and state dollars to move these forward.” He said he hopes the public will look 15-20 years into the future.

Friends of Lake Board Members and their area of expertise: Bill Butcher, 224-1541, and Steve Stenehjem, 842-2381, Economic Development; Clarence Weltz, 627-3651, Mountrail County; Clayton Folden, 627-3949, and Jill Denning Gackle, 463-2201, Local Development; David Johnson, 652-3194, McKenzie County; Kelly Sorge, 222-1310, McLean County; Duaine Ash, 662-3989, and Lee Klapprodt, 328-4970, Recreation; Herman Backhaus, 641-1124, Williams County; Mervin Packineau, 627-4781, Tribal; Larry Kerzman, 442-7102, Cabin Sites; Brad Thrall, 487-3603, Mercer County; Emmanuel Stroh, 573-4552, Dunn County; and Terry Fleck, 223-9768, chairman.