North Dakota’s lakes tell two stories. Along the Missouri River, a pair of the largest reservoirs in the country – Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe – hold world-class walleye and a rare inland salmon fishery. Out on the prairie, the ever-rising Devils Lake and a scatter of natural and reservoir lakes anchor some of the best perch and pike fishing in America. This is our running guide to the best lakes in North Dakota; every lake links to a full guide in our North Dakota Lakes Database.
The biggest lakes
Lake Sakakawea is the giant – the third-largest reservoir in the U.S. – with Lake Oahe running south from Bismarck and Devils Lake, the largest natural lake in the state, leading the prairie waters.
Best lakes for walleye
North Dakota is walleye country, and the Missouri reservoirs lead: Sakakawea and Oahe are nationally ranked, while Lake Audubon offers steadier water and Lake Ashtabula and Lake Tschida deliver close to Fargo and Bismarck. See our fishing in North Dakota guide for more.
Best lakes for perch and ice fishing
Devils Lake is the “Perch Capital” and one of the great ice-fishing destinations on the continent, with jumbo perch and walleye through the flooded structure. Sakakawea, Audubon and Metigoshe round out a superb hardwater lineup.
Best lakes for salmon
Uniquely for the Plains, Lake Sakakawea and Lake Oahe hold stocked chinook salmon – a rare inland salmon fishery worth a special trip.
Most scenic and family lakes
For scenery and a four-season getaway, nothing beats Lake Metigoshe in the forested Turtle Mountains, with the state’s premier park. Family lakes with beaches and camping include Ashtabula (near Fargo), Tschida (near Bismarck) and the Lake Sakakawea state parks.
This guide grows as we add lakes. Browse the full database by Largest Lakes of North Dakota and Small Lakes, or head back to the North Dakota Lakes Database.
