North Dakota may not be the first state that comes to mind as far as the nation’s best ice fishing goes. After all, just a few states over to the east lie the Great Lake States of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
However, there are over 400 lakes in North Dakota, providing ample choices for anglers during the winter season. The fact of the matter is that there is great ice fishing in North Dakota and if you’re looking for a good place to start, these are your best options.
1. Devils Lake
With an area of roughly 180,000 acres, Devils Lake is not only North Dakota’s premier ice fishing spot but is considered one of the top ice fishing destinations in the continental United States. Anglers from all around flock to Devils Lake to drop a line and try to come home with limits of perch, pike, and walleye.
Because of its year-round popularity with tourists and locals, there are amenities galore around Devils Lake, including hotels, restaurants, and of course, plenty of bait shops where you can pick a few brains about what’s biting and on what.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Devils Lake
One of the biggest reasons why Devils Lake is an ice fishing hotspot in North Dakota is because it is usually one of the first lakes to freeze over and one of the last to melt off. What this means for anglers is one of the longest ice fishing seasons you’ll find in the entire state.
The other reason why Devils Lake is so popular for ice fishing is the quality of the fish. Devils Lake may not have as diverse of a fish population as other lakes in the region, but what fish its waters do hold absolutely thrive there. An abundance of nutrient-rich freshwater shrimp is largely to thank for this.
Your ice fishing target list should include the following:
- Perch – this is one of the most popular species targeted during ice fishing season. It is not uncommon to find perch in the 12-inch range and specimens that are significantly larger are known to call Devils Lake home.
- Pike – one of the biggest targets, literally and figuratively, at Devils Lake is northern pike. With an average size of 24” to 34”, pike are at the top of the food chain in this lake. By many accounts, even larger, trophy-sized pike are lurking in Devils Lake’s depths.
- Walleye – the species that can be found in the greatest abundance in Devils Lake is walleye. With an average size of 15” to 20” along with the occasional whopper, walleye are not only Instagram-worthy but also make for a delicious meal.
Accessing Devils Lake for ice fishing is possible all around its perimeter. Popular access points include Black Tiger Bay, Schwab Landing, and Round Lake Bay. Altogether, there are more than a dozen easily accessible points all around the lake to get onto the ice.
2. Lake Ashtabula
Formed by the Baldhill Dam project on the Sheyenne River, Lake Ashtabula lies 12 miles north of Valley City and 76 miles west of Fargo. If you are visiting the eastern part of North Dakota during the winter months and want to try something adventurous, this is your go-to spot for ice fishing.
With an area of around 5,200 acres and a shoreline of roughly 73 miles, the waters of Lake Ashtabula average 13 feet in depth with some areas as deep as 45 feet. Being a relatively shallow body of water, Lake Ashtabula is a good bet for being one of the earliest lakes to freeze over in the winter.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Ashtabula
Lake Ashtabula came to be when the Baldhill Dam was completed by the U.S. government in 1950. Today, the lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers. It is a multi-purpose lake offering recreational activities like boating, swimming, hunting, and of course, ice fishing.
Speaking of ice fishing, here are some of the fish species you can expect to target at Lake Ashtabula:
- Bluegill
- Bullhead
- Crappie
- Muskie
- Pike
- Smallmouth bass
- Walleye
- White bass
The word ashtabula means “fish river” in the Indigenous people’s language of North Dakota. It’s no wonder then that Lake Ashtabula is a premier ice fishing destination for anglers throughout the state.
3. Lake Audubon
Lake Audubon and Lake Sakakawea are more than just two of the best ice fishing lakes in North Dakota. They are actually sister lakes, two bodies of water separated by U.S. Highway 83. Lake Audubon lies to the east and Lake Sakakawea sits to the west.
Home to the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge, this entire area is a world-renowned habitat for an incredibly diverse wildlife population, particularly birds and waterfowl, and of course, fish.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Audubon
Located in the heart of North Dakota, Lake Audubon is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Aside from the lake itself, the number of bird and waterfowl species that can be found in the surrounding wetlands make it a haven for birdwatchers.
Lake Audubon is a decent-sized lake covering 16,612 acres with a shoreline stretching for 113 miles all around. It has a maximum depth of 59 feet but there are many shallow areas measuring less than 20 feet deep. With submerged trees and plenty of bottom vegetation, these waters are a great habitat for a variety of fish species including:
- Lake Audubon is a well-known fishery for smallmouth bass. Stick with shallow areas with bumpy bottoms and drop-offs for these. Trophy-sized specimens are known to lurk in this lake, and they are a big draw every winter.
- Northern pike is another prime target at Lake Audubon. Tip-ups work well in spots with submerged trees and weeds.
- As is the case with many lakes throughout North Dakota, walleye is a highly sought after species among anglers at Lake Audubon during ice fishing season.
- Other fish that can be caught at Lake Audubon include muskies, yellow perch, and common carp.
Although the excellent ice fishing at Lake Audubon is reason enough to go, the incredible sights and sounds of this wildlife refuge make this a must-visit destination for any outdoor enthusiast.
4. Lake Metigoshe
Lake Metigoshe gets its name from the Chippewa words metigoche washegum, which translates to “clear lake surrounded by oak trees”. This is a fitting description as Lake Metigoshe is nestled within the Turtle Mountains, one of North Dakota’s most beautiful natural settings.
There are several interesting features of this pristine lake:
- Technically, Lake Metigoshe belongs to two countries. It lies on the S.-Canadian border. Roughly 96% of the lake’s 1,580 acres is in North Dakota while the remaining 4% (amounting to a mere 60 acres) is in Canada.
- Within the lake, there are six small islands ranging in size from half an acre to 27 acres.
- This is a relatively shallow lake with a depth of 23 feet at its deepest end.
Aside from ice fishing, Lake Metigoshe is a popular destination for boating, canoeing, hiking, camping, and birdwatching.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Metigoshe
The scenery at Lake Metigoshe is so breathtaking that it’s easy to forget why you’re there. During the winter, this lake offers some of the best ice fishing that North Dakota has to offer. Here are the top species you can expect to target:
- Bluegill – this species may be the biggest draw for ice fishing at Lake Metigoshe. Decent-sized fish, along with a sprinkling of whoppers, are known to inhabit these waters. You may see the best action in the afternoon hours.
- Crappie – this is another species with a healthy population in Lake Metigoshe. Crappies see well in darkness, so they tend to be more active in the late afternoon to early evening hours.
- Northern pike – there is trophy pike to be had in Lake Metigoshe if you’re willing to put in the time and do your homework. Tip ups work well for pike as do spoons and brightly colored lures. Stick with it and your patience will be rewarded.
- Walleye – many anglers come to Lake Metigoshe with this species in mind and there are bona fide monsters to be caught in these waters. Specimens up to 26 inches are being pulled from the ice and your best bets are small jigging spoons and live minnows.
Not to be left out, other fish you can target at this lake include yellow perch and black bullhead. Whatever fish you’re targeting, no ice fishing trip to North Dakota would be complete without visiting Lake Metigoshe.
Another feature of Lake Metigoshe that shouldn’t be overlooked is that it is one of several lakes in the Turtle Mountains and all of them are accessible on foot. Groomed trails in the winter make it easier to get around on foot (or snowshoes) to access your favorite ice fishing spot or go for a great winter hike.
5. Lake Sakakawea
Lake Sakakawea is a massive reservoir that was created when the Garrison Dam was built on the Missouri River in the 1950s. As the third-largest man-made reservoir in the United States, Lake Sakakawea is a massive body of water supporting an incredible abundance of fish.
This is the largest lake in North Dakota and is named after a young Shoshone woman named Sakakawea, who famously served as a guide and interpreter for the famous explorers Lewis and Clark.
What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Sakakawea
With an area of 368,000 acres, Lake Sakakawea is huge. In fact, its 1,300 miles of shoreline is more than California’s coastline on the Pacific Ocean. What this means for anglers is water as far as the eye can see.
Beneath the surface is a variety of fish species that thrive within its depths, with many specimens growing to very healthy sizes. Here is a sampling of what you can expect to catch when ice fishing at Lake Sakakawea:
- In North Dakota, the most popular species for anglers is walleye. Lake Sakakawea is no exception and the walleye in its waters range from 15” to 20”. Submerged vegetation and deep structural features are prime habitats for walleye, especially in the middle and lower end of the lake.
- Northern pike is another popular target during ice fishing season. These fish can grow to massive sizes and can weigh over 15 pounds.
- Smallmouth bass is another highly sought species and there are jumbo-sized fish to be found.
- Other notable species in Lake Sakakawea include chinook salmon, yellow perch, and freshwater drum.
Lake Sakakawea is an engineering marvel turned wildlife oasis. Originally designed to control flooding along the Missouri River, North Dakota’s largest lake is also its premier destination for ice fishing.
Darkhouse Spearfishing in North Dakota
If you’ve gone ice fishing before, you’re probably familiar with the types of rods, reels, lines, and tackle that you need for this winter pastime. But there’s another form of ice fishing that you may not be familiar with, and it is popular (and legal) on many lakes in North Dakota.
What Is Darkhouse Spearfishing?
Darkhouse spearfishing is exactly what it sounds like. As far as gear and essentials, all you need is a spear with barbed tips (so that the speared fish doesn’t slip off), a large hole in the ice, and an ice shanty to provide cover and improve visibility into the water. Here’s what you need to know:
- Throughout North Dakota, the only legal species for darkhouse spearfishing are pike and nongame fish (there are limited exceptions for walleye).
- In North Dakota, darkhouse spearfishing season runs from first ice through March 15.
- Once they are speared, fish may not be returned to the water. Doing so is illegal.
- Spears must be manually thrown. Spears that are pneumatically powered or assisted with rubber bands are illegal.
- Decoys and legal bait are allowed to lure fish toward your hole.
- The hole you create in the ice can be of any size you wish. However, when you leave the hole, it must be properly marked.
Be sure to obtain the necessary licenses for darkhouse spearfishing from North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department.
Where Is Darkhouse Spearfishing Allowed?
North Dakota has roughly 400 lakes and darkhouse spearfishing is permitted on nearly all of them. There are a few exceptions, however, and these include:
- East Park Lake
- Heckers Lake
- Lake Ashtabula
- Lake Audubon
- Larimore Dam
- New Johns Lake
- Red Willow Lake
- West Park Lake
- Whitman Dam
- Wood Lake
As a general rule, with the exception of the above, any body of water in North Dakota where hook and line fishing is legal also allows darkhouse spearfishing.
Conclusion
North Dakota is the ultimate outdoor enthusiast’s playground. With hundreds of pristine lakes scattered throughout the state, North Dakota offers some of the best ice fishing around. Whether you’re after delicious panfish or trophy-sized pike, these lakes are your best bet for a memorable day on the ice.
SOURCES:
https://www.ndtourism.com/blog/5-reasons-ice-fish-devils-lake
https://gfappspublic.nd.gov/wheretofish/LakeDetail.aspx?lake=275&PopOut=Yes
https://www.valleycitytourism.com/lakeashtabula
https://gfappspublic.nd.gov/wheretofish/LakeDetail.aspx?lake=046&PopOut=Yes
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/audubon
https://gf.nd.gov/gnf/maps/fishing/lakecontours/audubonoverview2020.pdf
https://gfappspublic.nd.gov/wheretofish/LakeDetail.aspx?lake=225&PopOut=Yes
https://vantagepoints.ca/stories/lake-metigoshe-recreation/
https://www.ndtourism.com/articles/winter-fishing-nice-be-ice
https://www.nd-direct.com/travel/lake-sakakawea.php
https://norrik.com/fishing-spots/north-dakota-fishing-spots/lake-sakakawea/
https://gfappspublic.nd.gov/wheretofish/LakeDetail.aspx?lake=020&PopOut=Yes
