Fishing

Ultimately, McLean County harbors some of North Dakota's finest fishing waters and facilities from the Missouri River tail waters and lower end Lake Sakakawea along the Garrison Dam, to the badland areas of Indian Hills and Deepwater Bay. Along this sixty mile expanse, anglers can try for trophy catches of walleye, chinook salmon, northern pike, saugeye/sauger and smallmouth bass. Both  Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon annually produce large numbers of trophy fish. Many smaller lakes in the county also offer opportunities for great fishing as well, especially if windy weather hits the large lakes.

Lakes Sakakawea & Audubon: Acclaimed as "America's Best Kept Secret" , these two man-made lakes provide one of the greatest cross-sections of sport fishing in North America. You can fish for whopper walleye, northern pike, chinook salmon, brown and rainbow trout, catfish and other types of pan fish. The two lakes have over 1,600 miles of shoreline. McLean County has constructed numerous high water ramps on both lakes to allow easy access. Whether you fish from a boat or enjoy the leisurely pace of shore fishing, it's all here for your pleasure!

Garrison Tailrace & Missouri River: Tailrace waters below Garrison Dam and some nearly 40 miles of Missouri River waters offer excellent walleye, salmon and trout fishing. Again, excellent ramp facilities are available below Garrison Dam and Washburn. And interesting side trip is a visit to the National Fish Hatchery located below Garrison Dam. Most of the state's fish are produced here for stocking programs.

Brekken Lake: Located one and one-half miles north of Turtle Lake. Fish species available: trout, walleye, bluegill and smallmouth bass.

Brush Lake: Located three miles north of Mercer. Fish species available: pike and perch.

Camp Lake: Located seventeen and one-half miles north of Turtle Lake, winter use only. Fish species available: pike and perch.

Crooked Lake: Located three miles north and 1/2 mile east of Turtle Lake. Fish species available: pike, perch and walleye.

Custer Mine Pond: Located four miles east and 2 miles south of Garrison. Trout available.

Lake Holmes:  Located one mile northeast of Turtle Lake. Fish species available: walleye, bluegill, smallmouth bass and trout.

Lightning Lake: Located one-half mile east of Turtle Lake. Fish species available: perch, largemouth bass, trout. 

Long Lake: Located thirteen miles north and 2 miles east of Turtle Lake.  Fish species available: pike, perch. 

Painted Woods Creek: Located four miles southeast of Washburn, adjacent to Highway 83, day use only. Fish species available: pike, walleye and perch.

Park Lake, East: Located nine miles south of Mercer and 1/2 mile west. Fish species available: perch, walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, muskie and bluegill.

Park Lake, West: Located nine miles south of Mercer and 3 miles west. Fish species available: perch, walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, muskie and bluegill. Boat access from East Park.

Riverdale Spillway Pond: Located two miles west of Riverdale, 1/2 mile south, 1 mile east. Fish species available: walleye, perch, bluegill and smallmouth bass. Day use only recreation area, idle speed only.

Strawberry Lake: Located seventeen and one-half miles north of Turtle Lake, or 2 miles east, 5 miles south, and 2 miles east of Ruso. Fish species available: pike, largemouth bass and perch.

North Dakota Record Fish

Please note that a Fishing, Hunting and Furbearer Certificate is a prerequisite to all licenses. Both fishing and hunting licenses in the form of stamps are pasted to this certificate and signed. The certificate cost is $1.00 for residents and $2.00 for non-residents. Resident licenses can be purchased from the North Dakota Game and Fish office in Bismarck, the McLean County Auditor's Office, license vendors located throughout McLean County, Instant Licensing by telephone by calling 1-800-406-6409, or Instant Licensing on the Web . Non-resident licenses can be purchased from the North Dakota Game and Fish office in Bismarck, the McLean County Auditor's Office, some license vendors located throughout McLean County, Instant Licensing by telephone by calling 1-800-406-6409, or Instant Licensing on the Web .

Residents under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license. They do, however, need a paddlefish tag to fish that species. Non-residents under the age of 16 may fish without a license and possess daily limits of fish if accompanied by an adult with a valid license (except paddlefish). 

The fishing season begins April 1 and runs through March 31 of he following year. Not all areas and species, however, are open at the same time. Please consult the 2004-2006 North Dakota Fishing Guide for further information. Year around fishing is permitted in the Missouri River System.

Additional updated information on licenses, seasons, etc. may be obtained by contacting the North Dakota Game & Fish Department at (701) 328-6300; or by clicking this hyperlink North Dakota Game & Fish Department.