North Dakota is a land of shallow prairie lakes – which makes its genuinely deep waters stand out. From the 180-foot depths of Lake Sakakawea to a handful of surprisingly deep natural lakes and glacial kettles, this guide ranks the deepest lakes in North Dakota and what makes each one special. It’s part of our North Dakota Lakes Database.
The deepest lakes in North Dakota
- Lake Oahe – the deepest, well over 100 feet (around 200 ft near the dam) in this vast Missouri River reservoir.
- Lake Sakakawea – about 180 feet deep near Garrison Dam; the largest and one of the deepest lakes in the state.
- Stump Lake – about 73 feet, the deepest of the natural prairie lakes, near Devils Lake.
- Camels Hump Lake – about 36 feet, remarkably deep for a small Badlands lake (and deep enough for trout).
- Nelson Lake and Homme Lake – about 35 feet each.
- Kettle Lake – about 34 feet, a tiny glacial kettle that’s a rare northwest-ND trout lake.
- North Lemmon Lake – about 33 feet, deep enough to hold both bass and trout.
Why depth matters in North Dakota
In a state where many lakes are under 15 feet deep, the deeper waters are special for two reasons. First, depth provides refuge from winterkill – shallow prairie lakes can lose their fish in hard winters, while deeper lakes hold over. Second, depth keeps water cold enough for trout and salmon: the cold depths of Sakakawea and Oahe support chinook salmon, and small deep kettles like Kettle Lake and Camels Hump Lake can be stocked with trout – a rarity on the prairie.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deepest lake in North Dakota?
The Missouri River reservoirs are deepest – Lake Oahe and Lake Sakakawea both exceed 100 feet (Sakakawea is about 180 feet near Garrison Dam). Among natural lakes, Stump Lake (about 73 feet) is the deepest.
How deep is Lake Sakakawea?
About 180 feet at its deepest, near Garrison Dam.
Are there deep enough lakes for trout in North Dakota?
Yes – small deep kettles like Kettle Lake and Camels Hump Lake, and North Lemmon Lake, stay cold enough to support stocked trout.
See the largest lakes, best lakes, or head back to the North Dakota Lakes Database.
