Lake George has a reported maximum depth of 60 meters — about 197 feet. That figure comes from a scientific study, while Lake Sakakawea’s state fisheries map gives 177 feet at normal pool. Lake Oahe reaches 205 feet across a reservoir shared with South Dakota. Comparing North Dakota’s deepest lakes means checking both the water level and which part of the lake a figure describes.
This guide is part of our North Dakota Lakes Database. It compares reported depths, with links to the measurements, rather than treating them as current readings.
- The deepest lakes in North Dakota
- Lake George and the Oahe border question
- Depths of smaller lakes
- Why depth matters in North Dakota
- Frequently asked questions
- What is the deepest lake in North Dakota?
- How deep is Lake Sakakawea?
- How deep is Devils Lake in North Dakota?
- Are there deep enough lakes for trout in North Dakota?
The deepest lakes in North Dakota
The table puts the larger reported depths first. Oahe is marked separately because its maximum applies to the whole cross-border reservoir. Map editions and reference water levels differ.
| Lake | Maximum depth | Source and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Oahe — ND and SD | 205 ft (62.5 m) | USACE project statistics, whole reservoir. This is not a measurement of the North Dakota reach. |
| Lake George | 60 m (about 197 ft) | Theroux et al., 2020, page 414, historical research description of the saline lake in Kidder County. |
| Lake Sakakawea | 177 ft (54 m) | NDGF map, 2009–10, normal pool at 1,838 ft above mean sea level. |
| Stump Lake | 77.1 ft (23.5 m) | NDGF map, 2018–19, reference pool elevation 1,452 ft. |
| Devils Lake | 58.1 ft (17.7 m) | NDGF map, 2018–19, water level 1,453.5 ft MSL, NAVD88. |
Lake George and the Oahe border question
Lake George is a natural saline lake in Kidder County, not the much better-known Lake George in New York. The 2020 study’s 60-meter figure is substantially deeper than Stump Lake, so Stump should not be described as North Dakota’s deepest natural lake. The paper supplies a historical depth, not a measurement of today’s water level.
If you plan to visit Lake George, check access first. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service describes its refuge as limited-interest land: the landowner or other owning entity controls public access.
USACE places Oahe Dam near Pierre, South Dakota, with the reservoir extending north toward Bismarck. Its 205-foot maximum should not be presented as the depth of a spot in North Dakota. For Sakakawea, use the map’s stated water level alongside its depth figure; the surface rises and falls.
Depths of smaller lakes
Several smaller waters in our database have deep pockets, but they do not belong ahead of the lakes above. Their state fisheries maps give these maximum depths at the reference full-pool levels printed on each map:
- Kettle Lake: 35.8 feet — 2023–24 map, full pool 1,995 ft MSL (NAVD88).
- Camels Hump Lake: 33.2 feet — 2021–22 map, full pool 2,704.8 ft MSL (NAVD88).
- North Lemmon Lake: 30.9 feet — 2021–22 map, full pool 2,486 ft MSL (NAVD88).
- Homme Lake: 29.3 feet — Homme Dam map, 2020–21, full pool 1,081.2 ft MSL (NAVD88).
Why depth matters in North Dakota
For fishing, the deepest point is only part of the story. Fish also need suitable temperature and dissolved oxygen. State fisheries biologists describe both seasonal trout stockings and waters where fish can survive the winter. The same article describes Nelson Lake as a power-plant cooling reservoir with warmer water — a useful reminder that two lakes of similar depth can support very different fisheries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deepest lake in North Dakota?
Lake George belongs in this comparison: a peer-reviewed study published in 2020 reports a maximum depth of 60 metres (about 197 feet). Lake Sakakawea’s state fisheries map gives 177 feet at normal pool. Lake Oahe is listed at 205 feet for the whole reservoir, which crosses into South Dakota. These figures come from different sources and water levels; they are not a same-day statewide survey. See the Lake George study and the source maps above.
How deep is Lake Sakakawea?
The North Dakota Game and Fish map (2009–10) lists a maximum depth of 177 feet (54 m) and an average depth of 62 feet at the normal pool elevation of 1,838 feet above mean sea level. The 1,838-foot figure describes the height of the water surface, not the depth of the lake.
How deep is Devils Lake in North Dakota?
The state fisheries overview map (2018–19) lists a maximum depth of 58.1 feet (17.7 m), based on a water-surface elevation of 1,453.5 feet above mean sea level (NAVD88). A different lake level means a different depth; 58.1 feet is the map’s reference figure, not a live reading.
Are there deep enough lakes for trout in North Dakota?
Yes, but depth alone does not tell you whether trout will survive year-round. North Dakota Game and Fish explains that some stocked waters provide seasonal fishing, while others can carry fish through milder winters. Low dissolved oxygen can cause winterkill. Check the latest lake-specific fishing information before choosing a destination.
See the largest lakes, best lakes, or head back to the North Dakota Lakes Database.
