North Dakota Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in North Dakota.
Lake Ashtabula
Lake Audubon
Devils Lake
Lake Metigoshe
Lake Sakakawea
More North Dakota lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Devils LakeRamsey & Benson Counties
Devils Lake
North Dakota's largest natural lake, known for walleye, northern pike, white bass and jumbo perch, and a top ice-fishing destination.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Yellow Perch
Famous jumbo perch through the ice.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the ND Game & Fish or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Devils Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: North Dakota Game and Fish Department ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Pete's Bait ShopNearby900 14th Ave SE, Devils LakeDirections ↗
- Ed's Bar & Bait ShopNearbyDevils LakeDirections ↗
- Frederick's Live BaitNearby7th Ave & Walnut, Devils LakeDirections ↗
Local tips
- Flooded trees and roads are everywhere. Go slowly.
- Ice-fishing season is a big draw.
- The lake grew dramatically in the 1990s and 2000s.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Lake AshtabulaBarnes & Griggs Counties
Lake Ashtabula
A Sheyenne River reservoir north of Valley City, known for walleye, white bass and perch.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
White Bass
Schools chasing shad in open water, and spring river runs.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the ND Game & Fish or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Ashtabula are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: North Dakota Game and Fish Department ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Mac's Bait & TackleNearbyValley CityDirections ↗
- Bayshore Resort and MarinaNearbyLake Ashtabula, Valley CityDirections ↗
Local tips
- The dam area and tailwater hold fish in spring.
- Several recreation areas have launches.
- Good ice fishing for perch and walleye.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
Lake AudubonMcLean County
Lake Audubon
A reservoir separated from Lake Sakakawea by a highway embankment. It's known for walleye, pike, perch and smallmouth bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the ND Game & Fish or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Audubon are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: North Dakota Game and Fish Department ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Six Mile Corner Bait ShopNearbyGarrisonDirections ↗
Local tips
- Next to the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge.
- Good ice-fishing lake.
- More sheltered than Sakakawea.