North Dakota’s biggest lakes are a study in extremes – from a colossal 300,000-acre Missouri River reservoir to the ever-changing natural expanse of Devils Lake. This guide ranks the largest lakes in North Dakota by surface area, with how big and how deep each one is, and links to a full guide for every lake. It’s part of our North Dakota Lakes Database.
The largest lakes in North Dakota, by size
- Lake Sakakawea – about 307,000 acres. The largest lake in North Dakota and the third-largest reservoir in the United States, on the Missouri River behind Garrison Dam.
- Lake Oahe – a vast Missouri River reservoir running south from Bismarck into South Dakota; one of the largest reservoirs in the country.
- Devils Lake – the largest natural lake in North Dakota, which has grown dramatically to well over 100,000 acres in recent decades.
- Lake Audubon – a large Missouri-system reservoir (~16,000 acres) beside Sakakawea.
- Long Lake – about 16,932 acres (shallow), in the Long Lake refuge near Moffit.
- Stump Lake – about 15,742 acres and up to 73 ft deep, near Devils Lake.
- Horsehead Lake – about 10,148 acres; the third-largest natural lake in the state.
- Lake Darling – about 9,502 acres on the Souris River in the Upper Souris refuge.
- Alkaline Lake – about 6,306 acres near Napoleon, a top walleye lake.
- Lake Ashtabula and Lake Tschida – large, popular Corps reservoirs near Fargo and Bismarck.
The largest reservoir vs. the largest natural lake
It’s worth separating the two. Lake Sakakawea is by far the largest body of water in North Dakota, but it’s a man-made reservoir. The largest natural lake is Devils Lake, a closed-basin prairie lake famous for its rising waters and its perch and walleye fishing. Horsehead and Stump Lake rank among the next-largest natural lakes.
The deepest lakes
North Dakota’s lakes are mostly shallow prairie waters, so depth stands out: Stump Lake (up to ~73 ft) is among the deepest, with Lake Sakakawea reaching about 180 ft near Garrison Dam. Several small kettle lakes, like Kettle Lake and Camels Hump Lake, are surprisingly deep for their size.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest lake in North Dakota?
Lake Sakakawea, at about 307,000 acres – the third-largest reservoir in the United States – on the Missouri River behind Garrison Dam.
What is the largest natural lake in North Dakota?
Devils Lake, a closed-basin prairie lake that has grown to well over 100,000 acres; Sakakawea and Oahe are larger but are man-made reservoirs.
How big is Lake Sakakawea?
About 307,000 acres with roughly 1,300 miles of shoreline – the largest lake in North Dakota.
Browse the full database by Largest Lakes and Small Lakes, see our best lakes roundup, or head back to the North Dakota Lakes Database.
