Guide To The Best Fishing Lakes In North Dakota

Top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in ND.

Devils Lake, Lake Metigoshe, Lake Oahe, Lake Sakakawea, Red Willow Lake and Stump Lake are some of the most popular places for fishing in North Dakota, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. The Fishing Boat Rental Page lists options for fishing boat rentals at some of these lakes. Ice fishing in winter is an option at most lakes and ponds across the state.

Bass Lakes
Catfish Lakes
Crappie Lakes
Sunfish & Perch Lakes
Walleye Lakes
Trout Lakes
Salmon Lakes

Bass

Clear Lake, Lake Ashtabula, Lake Audubon, Lake Metigoshe, Lake Oahe, Lake Sakakawea and Stump Lake and The Missouri River are considered the best options for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. More...

Catfish

Heart Butte Reservoir, Lake Oahe, Lake Sakakawea and most river systems in the state are favorite options for channel, blue, white and flathead catfish. More...

Crappie

Devils Lake, Jamestown Reservoir and Lake Metigoshe are popular places for black and/or white crappie. More...

Sunfish, Perch & Panfish

Buffalo Lodge Lake, Devils Lake, Heart Butte Reservoir, Lake Ashtabula, Lake Metigoshe, Lake Sakakawea and Stump Lake are popular spots to fish for bluegill, perch and other sunfish. More...

Walleye

Buffalo Lodge Lake, Devils Lake, Jamestown Reservoir, Lake Ashtabula, Lake Audubon, Lake Metigoshe, Lake Oahe, Lake Sakakawea, Lake Tschida and Stump Lake are considered the top locations for walleye fishing. More...

Trout

Lake Oahe plus many rivers and streams across the state are favorite choices for rainbow, cutthroat, brown and lake trout. More...

Salmon

Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River are the most popular waters for chinook salmon fishing. More...

Visit the North Dakota fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the North Dakota map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in ND at many of the most popular destinations in the state.