Listen to a group of people whose livelihoods or jobs depend on Missouri River fishing and recreation, and you will hear plenty of optimism about the approaching open water season.

Whether it's boat ramp access to Lake Sakakawea, the river or upper Lake Oahe, or the upcoming rainbow smelt spawn, the word was encouraging Saturday from the six panelists appearing at the Bismarck Tribune Sport Show's "Water Access Public Forum" at the Bismarck Civic Center.

Based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water level projections, 25 of Lake Sakakawea's 35 recreational areas are expected to be open to boaters come the prime-time open water season. The number includes "a lot of high-profile areas, but we lose access toward the Williston end," said Phil Brown, the corps' lake manager for Sakakawea.

Because of extended drought conditions, upper Lake Oahe is in river conditions, said Phil Sheffield, the corps' Lake Oahe manager, who is based in Pierre, S.D., and manages North Dakota's portion of Lake Oahe.

"The ramps with the problems are around the state line and Fort Yates," he said, adding that he is working with the Voices for Lake Oahe and Bis-Man Reel and Rec to find solutions with Emmons County, which is responsible for the ramp at Langeliers Bay west of Strasburg.

There should be access at all three state parks on Lake Sakakawea, said Doug Prchal, director of the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department.

"Lake Sakakawea and Fort Stevenson are in good shape," he said. Only the low-water ramp is usable at Lewis and Clark State Park closer to Williston, he added.

There also will be good access at Dakota Waters Resort, said Laura Heinsen.

"We maintained access last year, and we will have access this year," she said.

The same will be true at Indian Hills Resort, stressed Kelly Sorge. "Fishing access is the key to our business," she said.

This spring also is the year when Lake Sakakawea should get a needed spawn of rainbow smelt, the forage fish of choice for the lake's game fish.

Smelt numbers are down because of poor spawns in 2004 and 2005, said Bob Frohlich, fisheries development supervisor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

"It's critical we get a good hatch," he said. And with the corps' master manual calling for steady to rising lake levels during the spawn, the outlook is good. Smelt lay their eggs in shallow water, and if water levels drop, those eggs are left high, dry and useless.

"Smelt are prolific," Frohlich said. "If the conditions are right, they will do very well."

Work also is progressing on the new marina at Fort Stevenson State Park. More construction is planned in the spring with a goal of new marina service during the 2007 boating season, said Prchal.

At ice-out last spring, only two ramps were available on Lake Sakakawea.

Because of higher water this year and $3 million spent on ramp access work, "there will be 10 or 12 ramps this year," said Frohlich. "We will be in pretty good shape."

The coldwater curtains installed on GarrisonDam last year also appeared to have done its job of holding back Lake Sakakawea's coldwater habitat that's so important to the lake's game fish population.

"It did delay the loss of cold water enough to have a long, positive effect," said Frohlich.

There is no intent to remove the plywood, added Brown, although an inspection may reveal some repairs are needed.

Brown and Sheffield also received compliments from other panelists. "The corps at the state level has people on our side," said Sorge. Brown has been stationed at posts throughout the country in his time with the corps, before finding what he and his family found a "home in North Dakota." Sheffield is a North Dakota native.

"It encourages me," said moderator Greg Schoneck, of No Bonz Guide Service on Lake Sakakawea. "We have a natural North Dakotan and one who wants to call North Dakota home."

Attendance at the forum was about 100 people.

(Reach outdoor writer Richard Hinton at 250-8256 or richard.hinton@;bismarcktribune.com.)