Unlock the Great Outdoors
Why limit yourself to public land when there are millions of acres of private land to explore.
Fishing in North Dakota
North Dakota Fishing at a Glance
North Dakota is renowned for its picturesque lakes and rivers and the walleye fishing here is unbeatable. There’s a lot more to North Dakota than just walleye however and its 54,470 miles of rivers, and countless lakes, are well stocked with many other popular types of fish including pike, bass, and trout.
North Dakota has strict regulations when it comes to fishing. You need to have a license in order to fish in the state. You can get a license at any bait shop or sporting goods store. The cost of the license depends on how long you plan on fishing.
In North Dakota, fishing is all year round. There’s both an open-water and ice-fishing season. Between them, there are no opening or closing dates, except for paddlefish that cross over.
Some of the best places to fish in the state include the Red River, Lake Sakakawea, and the Missouri River. These bodies of water are full of fish and are perfect for a day of fishing.
Key Insights
- North Dakota is renowned for its unbeatable walleye fishing and well-stocked rivers and lakes.
- You need a license to fish in the state, which can be obtained at any bait shop or sporting goods store.
- Fishing is year-round in North Dakota, with both open-water and ice-fishing seasons.
- Some of the best places to fish in the state include the Red River, Lake Sakakawea, and the Missouri River.
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 779,094 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 207,810 |
| Fishing License % | 26.67% |
| Hunters Rank | 5 |
The state of North Dakota is mostly private land with just 4.95% of acres considered public land -ranking #39 amongst all states.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 44,156,200 | ||
| Public | 2,187,410 | 4.95% | 39 |
| Private | 41,754,190 | 94.56% | 12 |
| Tribal | 214,600 | 0.49% | 17 |
North Dakota Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the North Dakota DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
North Dakota DNR
100 N. Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, ND 58501-5095
- (701) 328-6300
What are the most popular freshwater fish to catch in North Dakota?
Fishing in North Dakota is a great adventure, with the most popular species of river or stream fish being bluegill, crappie, walleye, perch and northern pike. Bass are also sought after but to a lesser degree. Each type of fish presents its own unique challenge and reward, making them an exciting prospect for a day spent on the water. Bluegill can usually be found in smaller bodies of water and you have a variety of lures and baits to choose from when going after them. Crappie are larger than bluegill and live in deeper waters; they can be caught using either artificial or live bait. Walleye are one of the most sought-after species in North Dakota and can often be found in deep, slow-moving streams – however they only feed at night so fishermen need to make their plans accordingly if they wish to have any luck. Lastly, North Dakota anglers enjoy chasing perch which inhabit both rivers as well as lakes and prefer areas heavy with vegetation.
Unlock the profits in your land
The hassle free way to monetize your acreage.
Unlock the Great Outdoors
We’re working with landowners all across North Dakota to provide private land access for more activities. Add your information below to stay up to date.
Fishing private land in North Dakota
Fishing on private land in North Dakota has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in North Dakota or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. Devils Lake
2. Lake Sakakawea
3. Lake Oahe
4. Lake Audubon
5. Lake Tschida
Fishing private land in North Dakota
Fishing on private land in North Dakota has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in North Dakota or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.