There are many wonderful places to go fishing in North Dakota. In fact, the state is wildly popular and known for some of the best fishing spots in the country for species like walleye, perch, and northern pike. Listed below, we’ve compiled a list of 10 lakes that offer some of the best fishing in North Dakota. If you enjoy fishing, you’ll want to give each of these lakes a try. Who knows? You might just hook a trophy!

1. Devils Lake

Devils Lake, ND 58301, USA
harveynapoli/Flickr
Devils Lake is by far the top fishing destination in the entire state. Huge walleye have been caught here consistently and seem to keep getting bigger each and every year. Now is the time to get out there and see what you can reel in. Perch, northern pike, and white bass can also be caught here.

You can check out the fishing action on Devils Lake in this YouTube video from Chewy Thao Fishing:

2. Missouri River

Missouri River, United States
flickr/SnoShuu
All through the Missouri River in North Dakota are great opportunities for fishing. I recommend trying near where the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers meet if you're going to be fishing this time of year. You can catch impressive walleye here, but there's also the chance to catch an enormous, prehistoric-looking paddlefish.

3. Lake Sakakawea

Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota, USA
NDPRD/Flickr
Lake Sakakawea offers not only walleye, perch, and northern pike, but also a variety of other fish you might not often find elsewhere in the state, such as salmon and trout. It's a superb fishing spot for anyone who wants to just have a good day out on the water while casting out some lines.

4. Lake Audubon

Lake Audubon, North Dakota, USA
USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr
This lake is great for smallmouth bass fishing as well as perch and walleye. It's not only a perfect spot for fishing, but also a beautiful spot in general. Grab some rods and check it out sometime.

5. Lake Oahe

Lake Oahe, United States
Scott Shephard/Flickr
Lake Oahe extends from South Dakota all the way into south central North Dakota. It has prime opportunities for catching walleye, northern pike, catfish, and white bass. There's plenty of lake to enjoy and plenty of fish to catch here, and it's definitely a spot you should visit.

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6. Lake Metigoshe

Lake Metigoshe, Roland, ND 58318, USA
NDPRD/Flickr
This gorgeous lake isn't only eye catching, but it's also full of fish catching. It has some of the cleanest natural water in the state and also offers plenty of opportunities to catch walleye, perch, bluegills, and northern pike. Even if you aren't much of a fisherman, this lake is worth visiting for its beauty alone.

7. Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida)

Lake Tschida, West Grant, ND, USA
Ryan Kramer/Flickr
This reservoir creates a great fishing area to find fish like walleye, smallmouth bass, tiger muskies, perch, and northern pike. There are plenty of places around the lake to camp and put your boat in, so it would make a great weekend trip for some awesome fishing.

8. Nelson Lake

Nelson Lake, North Dakota 58575, USA
Google Maps
Nelson Lake is a great place if you are looking for bass fishing. There are both largemouth and smallmouth bass here, along with northern pike and crappies. You're sure to get some bites here.

9. Red River

Red River, Drayton, ND 58225, USA
mnsomero/Flickr
The beautiful Red River provides a great place for some awesome North Dakota fishing. Huge catfish lurk in these waters, as well as impressively sized walleye and northern pike. If you haven't tried fishing on the Red River yet, you definitely need to.

10. Jamestown Reservoir

Jamestown Reservoir, North Dakota, USA
Wikimedia
This reservoir created by the Pipestem Dam is full of fish like crappie, perch, walleye, and northern pike. There are a ton of opportunities for some fun activities on the water other than fishing and boating, so everyone can have a good time here. This would be a great place to stop and have an awesome day outdoors while getting some good catches.

You can find lodging near many of these lakes – including fishing resorts – on Expedia.com. Have you ever fished from any of these 10 North Dakota lakes? If so, please share your fishing experience(s) with us in the comments below. Let us know where you think the best fishing in North Dakota can be found!

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More to Explore

Best Fishing In North Dakota

Jennifer Young | June 07, 2022

What three bodies of water offer some of the best walleye fishing opportunities in North Dakota?

When it comes to fishing, North Dakota doesn't disappoint! There are several types of fish in North Dakota's rivers, lakes, reservoirs, etc. Over the years in North Dakota, walleye fishing has become quite popular. Three bodies of water are listed below where you'll likely catch some walleye.

1. Missouri River

A huge migration occurs near Bismarck, North Dakota on the Missouri River each fall and spring. This migration is walleye, which happens to be a desirable game fish. In fact, many people relocate to Bismarck just for the fishing.

2. Lake Oahe

With an area of 370,000 acres, Lake Oahe is the United States' fourth largest reservoir. Approximately 1.5 million people visit this sprawling lake each year because of its walleye fishing opportunities.

3. Lake Audubon

Located near the town of Coleharbor is North Dakota's Lake Audubon. Surrounded by the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, this lake is quite clear and tranquil. Because of this, it's easy to see the variety of fish living in the lake, including walleye.

What's one of the best North Dakota fishing lakes to fish from year round?

When it comes to fishing, it's open season year round in North Dakota. In fact, throughout the years, fishing has become a popular year-round activity in North Dakota. There are several North Dakota fishing lakes that are great to fish from no matter the time of year, including Devils Lake. According to several fishermen, Devils Lake is North Dakota's top fishing spot. It's home to walleye, perch, white bass, northern pike, and more. Devils Lake is also North Dakota's largest natural body of water. If you enjoy fishing, you'll definitely want to make plans to fish from Devils Lake.

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