Trout Fishing in North Dakota

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In North Dakota

Most of the trout caught in North Dakota come from streams and rivers. Lake Sakakawea, Garrison Tailrace and Powers lake have healthy populations of trout as well as The Missouri River. The North Dakota state record brown trout, cutthroat trout, lake trout and rainbow trout all came out of Garrison Tailrace.

Visit the North Dakota Game & Fish Department for details regarding trout stocking in North Dakota.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush

Cutthroat Trout
Salmo clarki

Organizations & Resources

Cutthroat Trout Conservation
DMOZ Trout Section

.

The states list to the left can direct you to information about trout fishing in other states.

All About Fishing for Trout in North Dakota.

42 lbs - 2 oz

21 lbs - 4 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers generally clear flowing waters with turbulence for oxygenation over gravel, rock or sandy bottoms.

41 lbs - 7 oz

25 lbs - 4 oz

56 - 64 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained cool water with minimum current over rock or sandy bottoms with heavy cover.

72 lbs - 0 oz

14 lbs - 4 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers clear to slightly stained water with significant depths and sandy bottoms in the shallows.

41 lbs - 0 oz

7 lbs - 7 oz

68 - 72 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current.