Kettle Lake is a tiny but surprisingly deep trout lake in the northwestern corner of North Dakota – a small spring-fed pothole near Zahl in Williams County that’s stocked with rainbow trout and also holds bass and bluegill. Far off the beaten path, it’s a quiet little gem for anglers seeking trout in an unexpected corner of the prairie. This guide is part of our growing North Dakota Lakes Database.
Kettle Lake at a glance
- Surface area: very small (about 7 acres)
- Depth: average ~15 ft, maximum ~34 ft – remarkably deep for its size
- Elevation: ~2,300 ft, in northwestern North Dakota
- Location: Williams County, near Zahl (northeast of Williston)
- Top fish: rainbow trout (stocked annually), largemouth bass, bluegill
A deep little “kettle”
Kettle Lake is named for its shape – a classic glacial kettle, a steep-sided pothole left when a buried ice block melted. Though it covers only about 7 acres, it plunges to roughly 34 feet deep, with a 15-foot average. That depth keeps the water cool enough to hold trout through the year, a rarity in this part of North Dakota.
Fishing Kettle Lake
Kettle Lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout, and also holds largemouth bass and bluegill. A North Dakota fishing license is required. Its small size and fishing pier make it ideal for bank anglers, float tubes and kids, and the deep, clear water rewards patient trout fishing. It’s a good little ice-fishing lake for trout in winter.
Access and recreation
A fishing pier provides easy access to this small lake, set in the remote prairie near Zahl. It’s a quiet, low-key spot for fishing and a peaceful escape; facilities are minimal, so come prepared. There’s no swimming beach – Kettle is a fishing lake.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Kettle Lake is near Zahl in Williams County, northwestern North Dakota, northeast of Williston. The Lake Sakakawea country and the Missouri River are within the broader region.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a North Dakota license is required.
- Trout in the northwest: a rare stocked-trout lake out here, thanks to its depth.
- Small & remote: a tiny pier-access lake – come self-sufficient.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Kettle Lake?
Stocked rainbow trout, plus largemouth bass and bluegill.
How deep is Kettle Lake?
It averages about 15 feet and reaches roughly 34 feet at its deepest – very deep for a 7-acre lake.
Where is Kettle Lake?
In Williams County near Zahl, northwestern North Dakota, northeast of Williston.
Related: explore the small lakes of North Dakota, or head back to the North Dakota Lakes Database.