Fishing Jamestown Reservoir

AKA: Jamestown Lake

Popular Fish Species
Jamestown Reservoir Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Jamestown Reservoir, ND

Popular Fish Species Jamestown Reservoir, ND

Jamestown Reservoir Popular Fish - Walleye

Walleye Fishing

Walleye are thriving in Jamestown Reservoir this again year thanks to a plenty of forage in the lake. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rocky and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Jamestown Reservoir Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in Jamestown Reservoir. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Jamestown Reservoir Popular Fish - Northern Pike

Northern Pike Fishing

Northern pike are voracious feeders and they have the tools necessary to catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. They are currently thriving in the cool waters of Jamestown Reservoir. This year they are being caught in good quantity and some mighty big sizes. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. Summer is spotty but pike can be caught all summer long. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes.

Jamestown Reservoir Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for black crappie, white crappie, walleye, yellow perch and northern pike at Jamestown Reservoir in North Dakota.

Sandy beaches, rip-rap rock and lush greenery surround Jamestown Reservoir, a 2,000-acre lake in the central part of the state, at the city of Jamestown. This winding waterway brags of having forty five miles of shoreline to fulfill your water sport fantasies.

Black crappie and white crappie are abundant in Jamestown Reservoir, offering exciting opportunities for panfish enthusiasts. Walleye is another, highly sought-after species in Jamestown Reservoir. Yellow perch are another popular target in Jamestown Reservoir, and are a mainstay diet for predator fish in the lake. Northern pike are known for their aggressive strikes and are present here in good numbers and large sizes.

Major boat launch ramps include Jamestown Reservoir Marina Boating Access, 5 Mile Corner Boating Access and West Landing Boating Access. Numerous campgrounds, some with RV hookups, are scattered throughout the area. Fishing enthusiasts come searching for the walleye, crappie, perch and pike that roam these waters. Many areas around the boat landings, the campgrounds and undeveloped land at the north end of the lake provide ample access for fishing from the bank, or just enjoying the day.

Primary fish species residing in Jamestown Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Jamestown Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES - 3
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Jamestown Reservoir 5 Mile Corner Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off 30th Street SE, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Jamestown Reservoir Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off E Lakeside Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Jamestown Reservoir West Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off 31st Street SE, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.