Pheasant Lake is a productive little fishing lake in the rolling country of Dickey County, southeastern North Dakota – a 166-acre lake west of Ellendale with a diverse catch of walleye, pike, bass, crappie, bluegill and perch. Deeper than many small prairie lakes and easy to fish from its pier, it’s a reliable, family-friendly spot near the South Dakota line. This guide is part of our growing North Dakota Lakes Database.
Pheasant Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~166 acres, with about 8 miles of shoreline
- Depth: average ~7 ft, maximum ~20 ft
- Elevation: ~1,450 ft, in southeastern North Dakota
- Location: Dickey County, about 6 miles west of Ellendale
- Top fish: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch
How deep is Pheasant Lake?
Pheasant Lake averages about 7 feet deep and reaches roughly 20 feet at its deepest across about 166 acres – deeper than many lakes its size, which helps it support a varied, year-round fishery.
Fishing Pheasant Lake
Pheasant Lake offers an impressively diverse catch for its size: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and yellow perch. A North Dakota fishing license is required. The lake currently holds moderate numbers of bluegill, pike and perch, and its fishing pier makes it accessible to bank and family anglers. It’s a solid ice-fishing lake in winter.
Access and recreation
A fishing pier and public access serve the lake, set in the gentle hills and farmland of Dickey County. Fishing, paddling and wildlife watching are the main draws in this quiet southeastern corner of the state. There’s no developed swimming beach; Pheasant is a fishing lake.
Water level
As a prairie lake, Pheasant’s level can vary with wet and dry cycles. Check current conditions before a trip, especially in dry years.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Pheasant Lake is about 6 miles west of Ellendale in Dickey County, southeastern North Dakota, near the South Dakota line. Ellendale and the Coteau des Prairies are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a North Dakota license is required.
- Diverse catch: walleye, pike, bass and panfish in one small lake.
- Best seasons: spring through fall for the mixed fishery; winter for ice fishing.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Pheasant Lake?
Walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and yellow perch.
How deep is Pheasant Lake?
It averages about 7 feet and reaches roughly 20 feet at its deepest, across about 166 acres.
Where is Pheasant Lake?
In Dickey County, about 6 miles west of Ellendale, southeastern North Dakota.
Related: explore the small lakes of North Dakota, or head back to the North Dakota Lakes Database.